Oak Bay News, January 07, 2015

Wednesday, January 7, 2015 oakbaynews.com

Deer divideProtestors gather as district awaits permit for cull

Page A3

ARTS: Love of music launches scholarship /A2NEWS: Kiwanis marks a century of service /A7REGION: Santas seek permanent home /A12

OAK BAYNEWS

Dan EbenalNews Staff

The new year came with a bit of a shock for a couple hundred Oak Bay homeowners.

While property assessments went out the first week of January, deputy area assessor Greg Wood said notices were sent to an estimated 200 to 250 property owners in late-December informing them that their assessments would rise by more than 20 per cent.

“I’ve never seen anything like it. There was a big increase back in the early ‘90s but nothing like this,” said Russell Freethy, whose assessment for his Central Avenue property increased by more than 27 per cent.

Wood said the increase was due to upwards of 15 properties that were purchased and redeveloped over the past two years.

“People are willing to pay that for what is essentially a raw lot. When we noticed that over the two years, that was the segment that we targeted with some substantive increase in terms of the land value,” said Wood.

He said the higher assessment increases were limited to properties with redevelopment potential, but couldn’t specify what criteria was used to determine the assessment increase. Wood did say that it isn’t common for homeowners to see their assessments rise by more than 20 per cent. He said about 1,200 of the notices of increased assessments were sent out in Greater Victoria, although it could have been for different reasons.

“I don’t know if I would characterize it as catchup,” said Wood. “We like to do our homework and we like to make sure that when we do make that type of an increase that it’s reasonable and supportable and we wait until we have the market evidence. Looking at properties in that Oak Bay segment we recognized that we had enough evidence to make that change.”

Freethy’s property is an old orchard owned by his family, and while the 67-foot-by-287-foot lot is larger than a traditional property, he said he’s limited in what he can do with it.

“It’s big, but you can’t put anything on it,” he said. “When

you consider nothing but a single family house can be built on these properties, the value, in my opinion, is way out of line.”

Freethy also owns the adjacent property, which he rents out with a 900-square-foot cottage, and its assessment will also climb by more than 20 per cent.

Freethy plans to appeal the assessment, something that Wood says is an option for all homeowners not happy with their assessment.

“We would encourage them to call our office and discuss the change in their assessment and we’ll go through the normal procedure of making sure we have all the information correct,”

said Wood.“If they’re still not satisfied and

they would like to appeal, they would have that avenue.”

Overall, the Capital Region’s assessment roll for the more than 146,000 properties in the region increased slightly to $90.5 billion.

“The majority of residential home owners will observe a modest assessment change compared to last year’s assessment,” said Reuben Danakody, regional assessor. “Most single family and strata residential home owners in the Capital Region will see average changes of -2 per cent to +3 per cent. This reflects market change from July 1, 2013 to July 1, 2014.”

The average assessment for a home in Oak Bay went from $667,000 in July 2013 to $686,000 in July 2014. Commercial properties in the Capital Region will see an estimated assessment increase of between two and six per cent.

Property owners can contact BC Assessment toll-free at 1-866-valueBC (1-866-825-8322) or online by clicking “Connect” at www.bcassessment.ca. Visit www.bcassessment.ca for more information about the 2015 Assessment Roll including lists of 2015’s top 100 most valuable residential properties across the province.

[email protected]

Assessments soar for some Oak Bay properties

Dan Ebenal/News Staff

Russell Freethy looks over the notice from B.C. Assessment informing him that his property assessment will be increasing by more than 27 per cent in 2015.

Source: B.C. Assessment

The summary below provides estimates of 2014 and 2015 assessed values of residential homes throughout the Capital Region.

Jurisdiction 2014 2015

Colwood $502,000 $490,000

Victoria $526,000 $536,000

Esquimalt $491,000 $499,000 Central Saanich $502,000 $502,000

Saanich (SD61) $497,000 $503,000

Saanich (SD63) $683,000 $679,000

Oak Bay $667,000 $686,000

Langford $408,000 $407,000

North Saanich $681,000 $681,000

Metchosin $536,000 $530,000

Sooke $312,000 $299,000

Highlands $451,000 $441,000

View Royal $429,000 $430,000

Sidney $427,000 $432,000

Victoria Rural $296,000 $291,000

Gulf Islands $479,000 $475,000

By the numbersHomeowner sees assessment jump more than 27%

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In a concert inaugurating the Eugene Dowling Scholarship for Tuba and Euphonium, beloved UVIc instructor and brass player Eugene Dowling binds his friendships, musical life and greater community.

“I don’t like the term wrestling with my own mortality but let’s face it, I have stage four cancer,” he said. “I’ve spent 38 years in Victoria teaching these instruments and

my students literally perform all over the world. … I’ve turned out so many music educators and so many people in the business.”

So while that leaves a legacy, a torch passing, he wanted to leave a “legacy of instruction.” The longtime faculty member officially retired last year but continues to teach, reducing his workload from 24 hours of instruction to four, and plans to keep doing so as long as possible.

“My teachers gave me a deep, beautiful gift: a love of music, an instinct for musical line and the desire to keep growing as a musician and person,” said Dowling. “By starting a scholarship fund in my primary teaching area, I wish to share with future students of the instruments that I play the same things that I have tried to pass on to my students for the past 38 years.”

It answers the question “What do you leave behind you?” he said. “You leave a community that you love, and UVIc is a newer university, older universities have a huge whack of

scholarship money. We’ll build that over time, but I think we have something to offer that’s unique and wonderful.

“It’s the family and friends and the work you’ve done. I love the work that I’ve done. It was never a toil and trouble to go in to work,” he said. “It’s been a life filled the last couple of years with a series of standing ovations.”

A Musical Gift from One Generation to the Next is Sunday,

Jan. 11 at 2:30 p.m. in the Phillip T. Young Recital Hall, MacLaurin Building, at UVic. Tickets are $18 or $14 for students, seniors and alumni, available at the door or through the UVic Ticket Centre at 250-721-8480 or tickets.uvic.ca online.

“It’s all the different chamber music, solos, friendships of my life and then students from the last 38 years will play under my direction,” he said. “It’s the joining of my friendships and my music. … It’s an all-star cast.”

Dowling will be joined on stage by some of his closest colleagues, two local bands that he regularly performs with – The Bastion Jazz Band and The Pinnacle Brass Quintet – as well as School of Music students and alumni. The program includes Scott MacInnes’ Quintet No. 1 – a piece he composed for his longtime mentor, colleague and friend in honour of his retirement.

“The piece is divided into three movements that

each visits a wide-ranging spectrum of emotions,” said MacInnes. “Although saturated with sorrow, there is the ever-present sense of hope and even joviality that triumphs over all else.”

Joined by Ann Elliott-Goldschmid on violin and Charlotte Hall at the piano,

Dowling will perform Yukiko Isomura’s Spring Suite.

“This isn’t the last concert dammit,” Dowling said. “I can’t say when the last concert’s going to be. This will be a snapshot of my life and we’ll start the scholarship right.”

cvanreeuwyk@oak baynews.com

A2 •www.oakbaynews.com Wednesday, January 7, 2015 - OAK BAY NEWS

Love of music launches scholarshipBeloved UVic instructor reflects with ‘all star cast’ in concert

Submitted photo

Eugene Dowling ties together his friendships, his musical life and his years at the School of Music and the Greater Victoria community in a concert inaugurating the Eugene Dowling Scholarship for Tuba and Euphonium.

“This isn’t the last concert dammit. I can’t say when the last concert’s going to be. This will be a snapshot of my life and we’ll start the scholarship right.”

- Eugene Dowling


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OAK BAY NEWS - Wednesday, January 7, 2015 www.oakbaynews.com • A3

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As of Monday, Oak Bay was still awaiting approval from the province for a deer cull slated to start this month.

Last fall, the district applied to the Ministry of Forest Lands and Natural Resources to cull up to 25 deer captured using modified clover traps. The window to conduct a cull closes Feb. 28.

“The province, at the end of the day, will make that determination,” said Mayor Nils Jensen, of the application. He added the municipality and CRD rely on the experts at the provincial level, particularly provincial wildlife veterinarian Dr. Helen Schwantje.

“She’s the one who will determine whether or not we proceed,” Jensen said. “She sets the criteria for a humane and ethical cull.”

If approved, the Capital Regional District would borrow traps from the province for the Oak Bay pilot project. Those have yet to arrive. Then a contractor would need to be chosen and trained.

“Waiting this out is not an option,” said Jensen, adding the province made it very clear it would only support, and allow, a cull.

Ministry of Forest Lands and Natural Resource Operations has stated it would not authorize the use of tranquilizers to aid in relocation due to the high risk of deer reacting poorly to the tranquilizer. Risks range from no reaction to the deer succumbing to the tranquilizer, causing death. Deer habituated to urban and suburban environments do not fare well when introduced into wild environments.

Residual tranquilizers can impact other animals that consume deer which have been tranquilized.

The decision to cull in a population reduction portion of the CRD regional deer management strategy came after what Jensen called a “robust” consultation process. Though some still consider that process flawed, criticizing the makeup of the citizens advisory group. DeerSafe Victoria maintains it’s not too late to conduct scientific deer counts, track the movements of deer between municipal boundaries, and research non-lethal deer management methods.

Spokesperson Kelly Carson asserts there are better ways to manage the population than “bolt gunning them in the head.”

“This is the lazy way out. I attended all the citizens advisory group meetings and there was no talk of any other …. human deer conflict mitigation, they went straight to the cull,” says Carson. “It’s a mess. It hasn’t been handled properly.”

The organization held a well-attended rally Saturday in front of municipal hall.

“I’m giving (people) a venue to voice their frustration

about this method of killing that, we’re all taxpayers and we’re all paying for it,” Carson said of the weekend demonstration. “They’re making us complicit in something we are vehemently against.”

Deer are baited into modified clover traps where the trained contractor would use the trap to constrain the deer and use a bolt gun to kill it. The deer should die quickly while leaving meat uncontaminated and available for consumption. There is an agreement in place, with health authorities and the CRD, for the Esquimalt and Songhees Nations to utilize meat and artifacts from the animals.

Terms of the permit would direct the contractor to set traps at sunset and handle any animals caught by dawn.

“These animals can be in the traps for 10 hours,” Carson said. “One of our witnesses released one … he doesn’t even know if she survived she was so injured.”

Jensen says he also posed that question and learned the less interaction with people the better once an animal is trapped.

“It isn’t just the DeerSafe people who don’t want to see this, we don’t want to do this,” Jensen said, citing the numbers as highlighting increased public safety concerns.

CRD staff, volunteers and the municipal animal control

contractor undertook a deer count over the course of several days in June. While not scientific, it was the methodology approved by the provincial wildlife branch and necessary to apply for the permit.

Municipal statistics show there were three documented deer deaths in 2007, none in 2008 and seven in 2009. This year and last saw about 40 deer carcasses removed by Oak Bay public works staff.

A group of municipal leaders are slated to meet in the Lower Mainland on Jan. 12 to discuss the urban and rural deer population concerns in communities such as in Greater Victoria as well as Invermere, Cranbrook and Grand Forks.

“We’re going there to hear what the ministry has to say, and to learn,” Jensen said.

If the CRD embarks on the pilot project this month in Oak Bay, the window legally closes at the end of February.

“I believe out of bravado it’s going to happen, but it’s not too late to change the system in deer management,” Carson said. “If Oak Bay is willing to spend $1,000 a deer to bolt gun them in the head… then they should be willing to do more.”

[email protected]


Protestors gather as Oak Bay awaits permit for deer cull

Submitted photo

Kelly Carson, spokesperson of DeerSafe Victoria, was among the dozens who attended the rally Saturday in front of Oak Bay municipal hall.

Greater Victoria real estate sales up significantly from 2013The Victoria Real Estate Board reports

389 properties sold in the Victoria region in December, an increase of 9.6 per cent when compared to the 355 properties sold in December 2013. Overall, 2014 saw 11.67 per cent more sales than in 2013.

“I think the increase in sales we saw in 2014 surpassed a lot of people’s expectations. To see growth of over 10 per

cent – that shows consumer confidence and interest in our market,” said Victoria Real Estate Board president Guy Crozier. “Of course one factor that helped sell houses [in 2014] was the low mortgage rate. That, combined with balanced market conditions, created a steady, consumer-friendly environment in which to purchase and sell properties.”

The Multiple Listing Service Home Price Index benchmark value for a single family home in the Victoria core this time last year was $542,800. During December, the benchmark value rose 2.9 per cent to $558,500. Over the course of 2014, 6.2 per cent of single family homes (238) sold for over $1 million.

“There are two indicators to track in the

new year – the number of sales and the amount of inventory currently available on the market. In 2014 we saw less inventory available than in previous years but more sales. With job growth predicted and consumer confidence increasing in our area, it will be interesting to watch these numbers as 2015 sales unfold.”

[email protected]

A4 • www.oakbaynews.com Wednesday, January 7, 2015 - OAK BAY NEWSA4 • www.oakbaynews.com Wednesday, January 7, 2015 - OAK BAY NEWS

EDITORIAL Penny Sakamoto Group PublisherDan Ebenal Editor Oliver Sommer Advertising Director

The OAK BAY NEWS is published by Black Press Ltd. | 207A-2187 Oak Bay Ave., Oak Bay, B.C. V8R 1G1 | Phone: 250-598-4123 • Web: oakbaynews.com

The OAK BAY NEWS is a member of the British Columbia Press Council, a self-regulatory body governing the province’s newspaper industry. The council considers complaints from the public about the conduct of member newspapers. If talking with the editor or publisher does not resolve your complaint about coverage or story treatment, you may contact the B.C. Press Council.

Your written concern, with documentation, should be sent to B.C. Press Council, 201 Selby St., Nanaimo, B.C. V9R 2R2. For information, phone 888-687-2213 or go to www.bcpresscouncil.org.

What do you think? Give us your comments by e-mail: [email protected] or fax 250-386-2624. All letters must have a name and a telephone number for verification.

OAK BAYNEWS

2009

OUR VIEW

The U.S. has Canada over a barrel on water as well as oil these days, but the tide is turning.

Last week I mentioned a new book called The Columbia River Treaty – A Primer by members of Simon Fraser University’s climate adaptation team. This slim volume makes the case that B.C. has ended up with a shockingly bad deal from this 1964 treaty, which concerned itself entirely with flood control and hydroelectric power.

In those days there was little or no environmental assessment. Agriculture, fish habitat and aboriginal impacts were ignored. More than a decade after the disastrous flood year of 1948, once Ottawa stopped its bureaucratic delays, U.S. public and private power utilities paid B.C. $254 million to build three dams on the Columbia system.

Those dams (and one at Libby, Montana that mostly floods B.C. land) hold back the huge spring runoff from the Rockies and then dole out water for power production in B.C. and for the 15 hydro dams previously built downstream in the U.S.

The U.S. payment was for half the power over 30 years, which B.C. didn’t need at the time. Then our American cousins cut us another cheque for $64 million,

an estimate of the value of flood protection from 1968 all the way to

2024.Boy, did we get taken.

The SFU team calculates the value of that flood control to the U.S. at more like $32 billion.

That’s not even the worst of it. The Kootenays were once the leading fruit and vegetable growing area in B.C., bigger than the Okanagan. Now in the Arrow Lakes and other reservoirs, levels rise and fall dramatically to

steady the flow south. In addition to the large areas permanently flooded by the Mica, Duncan and Hugh Keenleyside dams, this renders more of B.C.’s prime bottom land impassable.

B.C. is paid precisely zero for this sacrifice, while Washington state has developed a $5 billion-a-year farm economy using our stable irrigation source. That has helped their tree fruit growers push some Okanagan orchardists out of business.

As U.S. billionaires continue to bankroll environmental attacks on B.C. and Alberta energy projects, it’s worth noting that long before the treaty, the U.S. military-industrial complex had wiped out the Columbia River salmon runs. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and its private power partners dammed everything they could

find, exterminating a fishery bigger than the Fraser that had sustained aboriginal people on both sides of today’s border for thousands of years.

B.C. Energy Minister Bill Bennett and SFU’s Jon O’Riordan both described to me their experience at the Columbia River Basin conference, held last October in Spokane.

Their main impression was that Americans, including traditional tribes, want those salmon runs restored. Vast amounts have been spent on hatcheries and habitat to speed recovery below the Grand Coulee dam, which stands like a giant tombstone for migratory fisheries above it.

Should the Americans ever manage to get salmon above their biggest dam, it will largely be up to B.C. to provide sufficient cool water to keep them alive. That service has an increasing value to the U.S. as well as an ongoing cost to B.C.

Bennett surprised some in Spokane when he said the U.S. needs to pay more for the benefits from the Columbia River Treaty.

The flood control agreement expires in 2024. The treaty requires 10 years’ notice for either country to exit. Climate shifts are expected to make B.C. water more important than ever.

Your move, Uncle Sam.

Tom Fletcher is legislature reporter and columnist for Black Press.

U.S. ripping us off on water

Fee increases a suresign of the new year

Tax and fee increases have become as sure a sign that a new year has arrived as champagne and fireworks.

According to the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, B.C. residents can expect to see hikes in the rates they pay for MSP, EI, CPP, BC Hydro,

ICBC and BC Ferries. Among the increases for 2015, the Medical Services Premium Tax goes up $33 a year for individuals and $66 for families; EI and CPP taxes will go up $23 in 2015; BC Hydro

announced a six per cent hike in electricity rates for April 1, which amounts to an estimated $72 for the average home; BC Ferries will boost fares 3.9 per cent; and ICBC is expected to raise basic auto insurance, estimated to be $36 for the average car.

“Every government and agency seems to get their pound of flesh, and one wonders when enough will be enough,” said Jordan Bateman, B.C. director for the Canadian Taxpayers Federation.

The simple answer to that question seems to be never. BC Ferries shows that even the threat of decreasing revenues and a damaged economy can’t restrain the Crown corporation’s temptation to gouge its customers. A Union of B.C. Municipalities report shows that fare increases have driven down ridership on BC Ferries at a cost of $2.3 billion to the provincial GDP. But the potential of an economic downturn isn’t enough to deter BC Ferries from bringing in the increase that will more than offset the gains from its much-heralded elimination of the fuel surcharge.

But perhaps the most troubling increase is the one to basic auto insurance premiums. The increase comes despite the government funnelling more than $150 million from the Crown corporation into provincial coffers, and it will be targeted at safe drivers along with those actually responsible for any increase in claims.

It’s clear that when it comes to fee hikes, fairness and financial returns play no part in the equation. It’s just a new year’s plunge into the taxpayers’ wallet.

Tom FletcherB.C. Views

B.C. residents can expect to pay more for most government services


LATE FRENCH IMMERSION

Late French Immersion students begin to study French in Grade 6. No prior knowledge of French is expected. By Grade 8, Late French Immersion students have usually achieved a level of fluency equivalent to those in Early Immersion. Late French Immersion is offered at: * Arbutus Middle * Cedar Hill Middle * Central Middle * Lansdowne Middle * Shoreline Middle Late French Immersion is open to any student entering Grade 6 in September, 2014. To apply to enroll in Late Immersion, go to your preferred Late Immersion school during Immersion Registration Week (January 27 to January 31, 2014). Interested in Learning More About Late French Immersion? Attend our Information Meeting:

Late French Immersion

Information Meeting Monday, January 20, 2014

6:30 pm SJ Willis Auditorium

923 Topaz Ave. Simon Burgers, Coordinator, Languages and Multiculturalism, will be pleased to provide you with additional information, 250-475-4120 or [email protected].

Late French Immersion students begin to study French in Grade 6. No prior knowledge of French is expected. By Grade 8, Late French Immersion students have usually achieved a level of � uency equivalent to those in Early Immersion.

Late French Immersion is offered at:

* Arbutus Middle * Cedar Hill Middle * Central Middle* Lansdowne Middle * Shoreline Middle

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Interested in Learning More About Late French Immersion? Attend our Information Meeting:

Late French ImmersionInformation Meeting

Tuesday, January 20, 20156:30 pm

SJ Willis Auditorium923 Topaz Ave.

LATE FRENCHIMMERSION

Simon Burgers, Coordinator, Languages and Multiculturalism,

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LETTERSRoom for debate on climate change

Mr. Secco’s letter published Dec. 19 criticizing another writer’s opinion that climate “change” is not certain is also subject to criticism (they used to call it “climate warming” – for anybody confused with changing terminology).

Mr. Secco also cherry picks data. Yes, the last 17 years (since 1998) may have been the warmest on record, but temperatures have not increased since 1998, and in any event it’s the future we’re worried about.

Climate activists like to call the lack of an increase in temperatures over the last 17 years a “pause” but that implies that a rise in temperature will most certainly occur in the future, again based on IPCC models.

The problem is that the IPCC models absolutely failed to predict this “pause”, or plateau, if we use a neutral term, and while proffering multiple

suggestions, cannot actually explain why it occurred. In fact, they say their models are 95 per cent certain that a pause/plateau longer than 10 years in duration was impossible – but here we are.

The only alternate (they acknowledge) was that their models predicting rising temperatures were wrong. It’s interesting to note that over the years and reports done by the IPCC their prediction as to the actual future temperature increases has actually been falling. Climate change is absolutely certain – it’s been changing since the earth was born – climate warming is not, and now we know why they don’t use that phrase any more.

Yes rising greenhouse gases are a concern and all things being equal, should cause raising temperatures, but whether all things are equal, or

how much temperature increase it will cause (if any), is very much up in the air – shown by the IPCC’s constantly changing predictions as to actual rise in temperatures.

In any event, the elephant in the room is population increase. The UN mid-range prediction is that by 2050 there will be an additional 2.5 billion people (a 36 per cent increase), mostly in Third World countries. All will want western-style living standards – which means energy consumption. Why isn’t anybody talking about this?

Happily, the warming climate has also caused a significant greening of the earth as reported by satellite observations, and these plants will take CO2 out of the air and will provide more food. So it’s not all bad.

Terry SturgeonOak Bay

A resolution to giveThis being the last year

of the Turning 2000 Project we thought those who may not have their new year’s resolutions firmly in place might be interested in our proposal.

For personal fulfilment, and the good of society, we believe everyone benefits when you give a little something back – to help wherever there’s a need.

In 1984, with the turn of the 21st century in mind, we also thought Canadians and Canada might put our best foot forward by showing the world what can be done by working together. Coming of age in a new millennium, and remembering the sacrifices of those before us, while aspiring to the hopes and dreams humankind holds dear. These were our heady goals, and to our pleasure a simple solution presented itself.

As a fond farewell, we’d like to invite one and all to join with us in 2015 by making a new year’s resolution to give ‘an hour a month to the community organization of your choice’. You can add that hour up any way you like, there’s no rules. Over a year you may wish to give several afternoons to charities, or perhaps mix in a few hours’ wages to make up whatever you couldn’t fit in by way of volunteering. Over time you’ll be amazed how much good can come from each hour, from each of us giving just a little of ourselves.

We guarantee you will feel rejuvenated, happy to have made a difference, and that our communities and the world will be a better place.

All the best in 2015.Laurie Gourlay and

Jackie MoadVancouver Island & Coast

Conservation Society

Urban cull opposedWhen deer culls have

taken place elsewhere in the

province the areas have been rural. Traps could be set in forests and fields where they are not always visible to the residents.

Urban Oak Bay has a different geography with very little, if any, forests or open fields. Consequently these traps will be set up amongst the homes and often in your neighbour’s backyard.

Do you want to have your children witness a brutal, inhumane slaughter of an innocent deer? Unfortunately that is the way it is going to happen. Trapping a deer in an urban landscape and then killing it is not the way a cull should happen. Trapping a deer anywhere is cruel.

D.M. RobertsonOak Bay

Mayor making a difference

As residents of Oak Bay we are extremely fortunate to have such a great mayor. Not only did he win a second term as mayor but was also elected chair of the CRD.

And now being the only person on the CRD with the skills and talent required of heading the sewage treatment program, he has appointed himself the head of that project. Couple that with his legal career and running the community, he is indeed a man of all seasons.

D.A. RemingtonOak Bay

Risk can’t be ignoredFor many risks, politicians

would be railing in the streets about risk of a life-threatening condition occurring in a small municipality once every year and a half on average.

That’s the risk from carbon monoxide poisoning that Oak Bay’s mayor excuses in your Dec. 12 issue, regarding apparent leakage from rock blasting.

It’s strange behaviour by a government that is concerned about increased levels of what feeds us – carbon dioxide, which is essential to plant growth. Hopefully they aren’t confusing the two gases whose risk is very different, some people do.

As well, a pernicious notion is that government should be exempt from responsibility for issuing the permit. What is the purpose of the permit requirement if not to protect people? Worse, Oak Bay fire department and other government functionaries let work continue without proper investigation, according to what you report. Now people are clamouring for more regulations – but those will require someone to act on. Don’t fire and police people already have authority to address an immediate threat to life?

By the way, you should name the contractor involved so a company that does not halt work on its own initiative when there is an apparent problem can be avoided in choosing a service supplier. (And the company’s insurer might want to ask questions about risk management.)

Keith Sketchley Saanich

The News welcomes your opinions.

To put readers on equal footing, and to be sure that all opinions are heard, please keep letters to less than 300 words.

The News reserves the right to edit letters for style, legality, length and taste.

Send your letters to:Mail: Letters to the Editor,

Oak Bay News, 207A - 2187 Oak Bay Ave., Victoria, B.C., V8R 1G1Email: editor@

oakbaynews.com

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Boxing bouts fund charitable foundationChristine van ReeuwykNews Staff

A pair of Oak Bay firefighters won their bouts over comrades from Victoria Fire but the real winners are both departments’ charitable foundations.

Cody Brown and Brad Trenholm each won their bout at Fight 4 The Cause III in November.

“I am officially retired 1-0,” said Trenholm.

The social boxing event organized by Studio 4 Athletics in Victoria raised $25,000, and Oak Bay Charitable, which made a deal with Victoria Fire Fighters Charitable to share funds, will get $2,500 for their

foundation.Recent donations by the

OBFFCF include $1,000 to the B.C. Burn Fund while volunteering at Bright Nights in Stanley Park and $1,500 to Monterey middle school to support education.

With the fight night behind them, Oak Bay firefighters and their cohorts from around the region also took time to help deliver CFAX Santas Anonymous hampers to 1,400 Greater Victoria families the weekend prior to Christmas. They also donated $1,500 to Oak Bay Volunteer Services, $200 to ALS, $1,500 to Willows elementary, and five $500 bursaries to Oak Bay High [email protected]

Submitted photo

Oak Bay firefighters stop for a photo with CFAX Santas Anonymous mascot Santa Bear while assembling hampers to deliver to those in need last month.

B.C. wines on their way to grocery storesJeff NagelBlack Press

The province’s latest liquor reform will make it easier for wine stores to relocate into grocery stores – provided they offer only B.C. wines – but there’s no sign the government is rethinking its change to wholesale wine pricing that will sharply drive up the price of more expensive bottles.

The announcement by Justice Minister Suzanne Anton at Chaberton Estate Winery in Langley is being hailed by B.C. wineries because some supermarkets that can begin selling wine come April will be barred from stocking foreign wines.

Under the change, existing VQA and independent wine stores can relocate or transfer their licence to an eligible grocery store as long as 100 per cent B.C. wine is sold. Those licence transfers won’t be limited by a rule that disallows

new outlets if there’s an existing one within one kilometre.

Liquor policy reform leader John Yap called it a “winning combination” to allow grocery shoppers to also buy B.C. wine and support the local industry.

“The B.C. wine industry is entering into a new era of winemaking,” added Chaberton co-owner Eugene Kwan.

The new model is different from the store-within-a-store model in that it allows B.C. wine to be on regular grocery store shelves and shoppers would pay for it at designated registers staffed by trained employees who are at least 19.

Anton said a limited number of new licences – she would not specify how many – will be made available to sell just B.C. wine in grocery stores.

The extra licences will mean more competition for private wine stores that have already been critical of some of the province’s liquor reforms.

Vancouver lawyer Mark Hicken, who

acts for wine industry clients, predicts there will be “no takers” on wine stores relocating under the new B.C.-only model because they would lose most of their international product lines.

Hicken said the B.C.-only rule may violate Canada’s international trade agreements.

A major concern for wine stores and B.C. restaurants is the change unveiled recently to the province’s wholesale pricing formula for wine that ends the discount advantage for independent wine stores.

It may mean little change or even cheaper prices for wines that now cost $15 and under. But the final retail price of pricier bottles is expected to rise sharply come April, in both private and government stores, and in restaurants.

Wine industry lawyer Mark Hicken has estimated wholesale prices in B.C. will rise 12 to 29 per cent on higher-end wines as a result of the change.

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Eye StrainFrom the moment you wake up in the morning,

to the moment you turn the light out at night, you are using your eyes for virtually everything you do. It is no wonder that sometimes your eyes get tired. Symptoms of eye strain include headaches, light sensitivity, burning eyes and eye pain.

Eye strain can result from your eyes working too hard to see clearly. Even people with 20/20 vision can benefit from glasses if their eyes are focusing all the time to get that clarity. For example, far sighted people have more difficulty seeing things that are close to them because their eyes are focusing much harder than normal to see near objects. Headaches and eye fatigue when reading could easily be elimi-nated by the use of reading glasses.

If you are suffering from eye strain, having a com-plete eye exam could determine the cause of your discomfort and provide a solution. A change in your existing prescription may make all the difference, especially if you have not updated your spectacle lenses in a long time. Eye problems do not usually go away by themselves. Visiting your optometrist can give you the assurance that you have the exact prescription required for clear and comfortable vi-sion.

www.oakbaynews.com

OAK BAY NEWS - Wednesday, January 7, 2015 www.oakbaynews.com • A7OAK BAY NEWS - Wednesday, January 7, 2015 www.oakbaynews.com • A7


While Patrick Ewing is busily devoting time to help others through Kiwanis, the organization slyly slides little joys back into his life. Ewing, who just turned 45, is a member of the Kiwanis clubs of Victoria and Oak Bay.

“My first Kiwanis service project was before I knew what Kiwanis was,” Ewing said. “I was in Grade 6 and 7, and was one of those in the school patrol program at [then] Monterey elementary.”

That program, which dates back to the mid 1930s, is sponsored by Victoria Kiwanis. He rediscovered the connection later, noticing the Kiwanis safety patrol badge among the many covering his childhood Boy Scout blanket.

“I didn’t even realize I was involved in Kiwanis service,” Ewing said with a laugh. He got more formally involved when he discovered Circle K during ‘clubs day’ early in his tenure as a student at the University of Victoria.

“There was this table that had a sign that said ‘beach cleanup-slash scavenger hunt’ and I thought ‘well that

sounds fun’,” Ewing said. “We went down to Gyro Park and cleaned the beach, with prizes for the grossest item and things like that.”

It proved a good way to make friends and connections in university while he grew to enjoy the leadership side of the organization.

At 39, he became the youngest member ever to serve as governor of the Pacific Northwest District. As PNW chair for The Eliminate Project, he helped raise more than $500,000 towards Kiwanis International’s global campaign to eliminate the death of mothers and infants from maternal/neonatal tetanus.

“One of the things that make me feel really good is the Eliminate Project and being able to raise half a a million dollars for that project,” Ewing said. “There’s tetanus in the soil and it can’t be avoided. It’s especially lethal during the birthing process … a child born perfectly healthy gets infected and it attacks the nerves and it makes light, sounds and touch extremely painful. The child has convulsions strong enough to tear muscles and break bones until the child dies – usually within a week. And it’s entirely preventable. “

When the project started, a child died every nine minutes. It’s now down to a death every 11 minutes, which indicates progress.

“It’s still too many but we’ve reduced the number of countries where this is occurring from 41 when we started to 24 now. So we’re making progress but we still have a way to go,” Ewing said.

In the time between, Ewing joined the Gordon Head Club, then Sidney, then Victoria in 2007. A few years back his father John joined Oak Bay’s Kiwanis and then

so did Ewing’s wife Kristina.

“I found I was going to as many of their meetings as Victoria meetings, so [last] year I joined as well,” he said.

“We actually met through Circle K,” Ewing said of wife Kristina. “We were both working on the Pacific Northwest board together … we were friends and lost touch.

The couple, who share a Dec. 19 birthday as well, reconnected years later through Kiwanis and they married the year he became governor.

“It was somehow meant to be. We would not have run into each other if it wasn’t for Circle K and Kiwanis,” Ewing said.

This year is his first of three years as trustee, just the second British Columbian in 100 years to serve on the international board. He was among the elected officers delegated last July during the Kiwanis International convention in Chiba, Japan. That trip took Ewing home in a sense. “That’s the first time I’ve been back to Japan since I was born there,” he explained.

“Being able to serve on the international board and work with people from the Philippines and Malaysia and Austria … it’s a unique opportunity,” he added. “I’m very lucky to be able to do that. It doesn’t matter how much you give you always get more back. It’s been an amazing

experience. I’ve been able to meet people from all over the world.”

This year Kiwanis International celebrates 100 years of service to children around the world.

“Anyone can spare a few hours each month to volunteer or be part of a wonderful community service

organization like Kiwanis,” he said. “My wife and I both work full time but we make time for Kiwanis because it is so fun and rewarding. If you are thinking of making a new year’s resolution to help others, I’d be happy to help you.”

cvanreeuwyk@oak baynews.com

Service its own reward for Oak Bay Kiwanian

About Kiwanisn Founded in 1915, Kiwanis International is a global organization of clubs and members dedicated to serving the children of the world. Kiwanis and its family of clubs, including Circle K International for university students, Key Club for students age 14–18, Builders Club for students age 11–14, Kiwanis Kids for students age 6–12 and Aktion Club for adults living with disabilities, annually dedicate more than 18 million service hours to strengthen communities and serve children. The Kiwanis International family comprises nearly 600,000 adult and youth members in 80 countries and geographic areas. The Kiwanis 100th anniversary celebration is Jan. 23 and 24 in Detroit, Mich., marking the anniversary milestone with the founding Kiwanis club and Kiwanis dignitaries and leaders from around the world.For more information about Kiwanis International, visit www.kiwanis.org.

Photo submitted

Patrick Ewing is a member of the Kiwanis clubs of both Victoria and Oak Bay, and was the youngest member to ever serve as governor of the Pacific Northwest District.

A schedule of the 2015 Council and Committee of the Whole meeting dates is provided below. Meetings are held in the Council Chambers, Oak Bay Municipal Hall, 2167 Oak Bay Avenue.

Council, commencing at 7:30 p.m.

January 12 & 26 July 20February 10 & 23 August – no scheduled meetingMarch 9 & 23 September 28April 13 & 27 October 13 & 26May 11 & 25 November 9 & 23June 8 & 22 December 7

Committee of the Whole, commencing at 7:00 p.m.

January 19 July 13February 16 August – no scheduled meetingMarch 16 September 14April 20 October 19May 19 November 16June 15 December 14

The above schedule is in keeping with Council’s Procedure Bylaw and takes into account statutory holidays; however, amendments can be made to this schedule throughout the year. Please call 250-598-3311, or refer to www.oakbay.ca/municipalhall/meetingsandminutes to confirm finalized meeting dates.

MUNICIPAL HALL2167 OAK BAY AVENUE – VICTORIA, B.C. V8R 1G2

PHONE 250-598-3311 FAX 250-598-9108WEBSITE: www.oakbay.ca

The Corporation of the District of Oak Bay

THANK YOUFrom

The Rotary Club of Oak BayWe wish to thank all our sponsors, volunteers

and participants of the 35th Annual

MERRYTHONDue to your support we are able to carry out

several literacy and humanitarian projects both locally and internationally

Aked Sandhu Wealth Management Group.Baywood Property Management.Buddies Toys.CBI.Coastal Acting Service. Team Victoria.COBS, Oak Bay.Estevan Pharmacy.Fairway Market, Oak Bay.Frontrunners.Himulco Shoes.Innovative Fitness.Island Runner.

Jazzercise.JPI International Consulting Inc.Machi Sushi.Newport Realty/Jack Petrie.Oak Bay News.Recreation Oak Bay.Royal LePage/Tom Croft.Salon Modello.Serious Coffee, Oak Bay.Simply Pure Ice & Water.Smuggler’s Cove.The Woodbury Apartments.


Boxing bouts fund charitable foundationChristine van ReeuwykNews Staff

A pair of Oak Bay firefighters won their bouts over comrades from Victoria Fire but the real winners are both departments’ charitable foundations.

Cody Brown and Brad Trenholm each won their bout at Fight 4 The Cause III in November.

“I am officially retired 1-0,” said Trenholm.

The social boxing event organized by Studio 4 Athletics in Victoria raised $25,000, and Oak Bay Charitable, which made a deal with Victoria Fire Fighters Charitable to share funds, will get $2,500 for their

foundation.Recent donations by the

OBFFCF include $1,000 to the B.C. Burn Fund while volunteering at Bright Nights in Stanley Park and $1,500 to Monterey middle school to support education.

With the fight night behind them, Oak Bay firefighters and their cohorts from around the region also took time to help deliver CFAX Santas Anonymous hampers to 1,400 Greater Victoria families the weekend prior to Christmas. They also donated $1,500 to Oak Bay Volunteer Services, $200 to ALS, $1,500 to Willows elementary, and five $500 bursaries to Oak Bay High [email protected]

Submitted photo

Oak Bay firefighters stop for a photo with CFAX Santas Anonymous mascot Santa Bear while assembling hampers to deliver to those in need last month.

B.C. wines on their way to grocery storesJeff NagelBlack Press

The province’s latest liquor reform will make it easier for wine stores to relocate into grocery stores – provided they offer only B.C. wines – but there’s no sign the government is rethinking its change to wholesale wine pricing that will sharply drive up the price of more expensive bottles.

The announcement by Justice Minister Suzanne Anton at Chaberton Estate Winery in Langley is being hailed by B.C. wineries because some supermarkets that can begin selling wine come April will be barred from stocking foreign wines.

Under the change, existing VQA and independent wine stores can relocate or transfer their licence to an eligible grocery store as long as 100 per cent B.C. wine is sold. Those licence transfers won’t be limited by a rule that disallows

new outlets if there’s an existing one within one kilometre.

Liquor policy reform leader John Yap called it a “winning combination” to allow grocery shoppers to also buy B.C. wine and support the local industry.

“The B.C. wine industry is entering into a new era of winemaking,” added Chaberton co-owner Eugene Kwan.

The new model is different from the store-within-a-store model in that it allows B.C. wine to be on regular grocery store shelves and shoppers would pay for it at designated registers staffed by trained employees who are at least 19.

Anton said a limited number of new licences – she would not specify how many – will be made available to sell just B.C. wine in grocery stores.

The extra licences will mean more competition for private wine stores that have already been critical of some of the province’s liquor reforms.

Vancouver lawyer Mark Hicken, who

acts for wine industry clients, predicts there will be “no takers” on wine stores relocating under the new B.C.-only model because they would lose most of their international product lines.

Hicken said the B.C.-only rule may violate Canada’s international trade agreements.

A major concern for wine stores and B.C. restaurants is the change unveiled recently to the province’s wholesale pricing formula for wine that ends the discount advantage for independent wine stores.

It may mean little change or even cheaper prices for wines that now cost $15 and under. But the final retail price of pricier bottles is expected to rise sharply come April, in both private and government stores, and in restaurants.

Wine industry lawyer Mark Hicken has estimated wholesale prices in B.C. will rise 12 to 29 per cent on higher-end wines as a result of the change.

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Walk-In Denture ClinicHome & Hospital VisitsHappiness is

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14-23 Homeowner Protection Office Make Your Home Safe for Independent Living

H O U S I N G M AT T E R S

To apply or learn more, visit www.bchousing.org/HAFI You can also contact BC Housing: Phone: 604-433-2218Toll-free: 1-800-257-7756

Are you a low-income senior or a person with a disability who wants to live safely and independently in the comfort of your home?

Do you have difficulty performing day-to-day activities?

Does your home need to be adapted to meet your changing needs? If so, you may be eligible for financial assistance under the Home Adaptations for Independence (HAFI) program.

Find out today if you are eligibleand if you meet all of the requirements as a low-income homeowner or as a landlord applying on behalf of an eligible tenant.

300 dpiblack and whitesize: 10.31” x 7”

BC Housing HAFI adBlack Press comunity papersPosition: Seniors section (if available) or Forward News Insertion date(s): various: January 7 - 22, 2015BCH HAFI

When Lorie and Walter bought their home in Port Alberni 13 years ago they slowly began renovating the unfinished basement to accommodate Walter’s changing needs as his muscular dystrophy advanced.

“The basement was a black hole when we moved in,” recalled Walter. “After 12 years of skimping and saving, we made the downstairs completely wheelchair accessible, except for the bathroom. It was way too small. I could only stand for about a minute and a half without collapsing in the shower stall and I could no longer pull myself out of the tub in the upstairs’ bathroom, even with Lorie’s help.”

Through funding from BC Housing’s Home Adaptations for Independence (HAFI) program, Walter and Lorie were able to work with a contractor to transform the space. A wall was removed to make room for a wheel-in shower with benches, grab bars were installed, and the vanity and fixtures were relocated.

I just slide into the shower now,” said Walter. “I feel safer and no longer dread trying to wash myself. What was previously a dangerous chore for me is now a welcome treat.”

Walter and Lorie hope to spend the rest of their lives in their home.

The HAFI program provides financial assistance to help eligible low-income seniors and people with disabilities adapt their homes so they can continue to live independently.

Make Your Home Safe for Independent Living

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HAFI Funds Home Modifications for Disabled Man

Bill SmithFor the Oak Bay News

Jupiter’s moons are putting on an amazing show this month. The orbital path of the moons is tilting edge-on to the Earth and the sun.

This lineup makes it possible to watch the moons pass in front of each other (an occultation), or pass through another moons’ shadow (an eclipse), and even cast tiny black shadows onto Jupiter. You must find your old binoculars to see this amazing event.

Jupiter rises by 10:30 p.m. at the beginning of the month, and by 8:30 p.m. at the end of the month.

Have you noticed that the moon

rises in the east and sets in the west, just like the sun. Well you might be surprised to learn that every planet also rises in the east and sets in the west.

So Jupiter will be seen rising in the east above Mount Baker.

Even through the smallest telescope or binoculars you should be able to see the two prominent belts on each side of Jupiter’s equator, and the four Galilean moons: Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto.

Jupiter’s Great Red Spot is challenging to see now, and it has actually shrunk to less than half the size of historical observations (25,500 miles) in the late 1800s. The Voyager

spacecraft measured it to be 14,500 miles across in 1979. Recent Hubble telescope observations confirm it to be 10,250 miles across. And it is shrinking by 580 miles per year.

On the night of Jan. 23 three moons and their shadows cross the disk of Jupiter.

If you want to try to see their shadows, you’ll want to start looking through telescopes at 7 p.m. At 7:11 p.m. the first shadow – of Callisto – appears, followed by Io’s shadow at 8:35 p.m. and Europa’s at 10:27 p.m.

Then for 25 minutes – until 10:52 p.m. – the three black shadows will appear on the planet’s disk at the same time. This triple shadow transit won’t

happen again until 2032.There’s one more treat in store for

Jupiter observers this same evening. Io is eclipsed by Calisto’s shadow, beginning at 9:41 p.m. Eagle-eyed observers will see Io dim in brightness about 10 minutes later, then resume its brightness in another 10 minutes.

Dark skies to all friends of Cattle Point Star Park.

Summary is from the transcript of “What’s Up In January 2015” by NASA announcer and astronomer Jane Houston Jones with specific permission for localization to Cattle Point Urban Star Park and the Oak Bay News.

Bill Smith is a volunteer at Cattle Point Dark Sky Urban Star Park.


Jupiter’s moons dominate the night sky in January

Residents reminded to prepare for emergencySt John Ambulance is

reminding Capital Region residents of the importance of being prepared for an emergency.

“Being ready to cope on our own for at least the first 72 hours will enable first responders to focus on those in urgent need” said St John Victoria board chair and retired fire chief Doug Angrove.

To ensure you are prepared St John Ambulance suggests the following three simple steps:

Know the risks – Learn how to prepare for the natural hazards in Canada and in your region. Tailor your emergency plan and

kit to the common risks in your area.

Make an emergency plan – Having a family emergency plan will save time and make real situations less stressful. Draft or update your plan, and practise it with your family.

Get an emergency kit – In case of a major event, you will need some basic supplies set aside. Many emergency kit items may already be in your home. Take the time to update or assemble a basic emergency kit that meets your family’s needs.

People who are prepared to sustain themselves for at least 72 hours after a disaster make

it easier for first responders to help those who urgently need it – and this has a significant impact on the resiliency of their community.

St John Ambulance encourages everyone to visit www.GetPrepared.ca, a website that contains detailed information on specific risks and allows Canadians to go online to complete and download their own family emergency plan, and offers short videos on how to make an emergency preparedness kit. Capital Region residents can learn more about emergency preparedness by visiting www.sja.ca.

OAK BAY NEWS - Wednesday, January 7, 2015 www.oakbaynews.com • A9Oak Bay News Wed, Jan 7, 2015 www.oakbaynews.com A9

ReporterSooke News Mirror Do you have a nose for news? Are you curious and self-motivated? Are you a nature lover who wants to live in a small community near the ocean and forests. Then the Sooke News Mirror is looking for you.

The Sooke News Mirror, is the community newspaper of record for the Sooke area. Our broad reach extends from East Sooke to Port Renfrew and everywhere in between.

We are seeking a full-time reporter who would be responsible for sports coverage and community news. This position offers a solid grounding in community news and is a natural for anyone seeking a wide variety of experiences.

The successful applicant will demonstrate the ability to turn in engaging, objective news stories, interesting features and dynamic photographs.

Journalistic experience and knowledge of CP style are assets, as is page layout using InDesign. A reliable vehicle is necessary.

The position opens in January.

The Sooke News MIrror is part of Black Press, Canada’s largest independent newspaper group with more than 150 newspapers located in B.C., Alberta, Washington State, Hawaii ad Ohio.

Please forward your cover letter, references and resumé – including writing and photography samples to:

The Sooke News Mirror Attn: Pirjo Raits, Editor 112 - 6660 Sooke Road Sooke, B.C. V9Z 0A5 email: [email protected] or [email protected] We thank all applicants for their interest but only those selected for interview will be contacted.

www.blackpress.cawww.blackpress.ca

The Victoria News is looking for a skilled graphic designer to join our community newspaper’s creative department.

This full time position requires the successful applicant to be proficient in AdobeCS: InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator and Acrobat on a Mac platform. Experience in digital media would be an asset. The position may require shift and weekend work. Creative design experience in graphic arts is preferred, and a portfolio is required. You are a self-starter, team player and are comfortable working in a fast-paced, deadline driven environment.

We are a well-established, nationally-recognized community newspaper group with more than 150 community, daily and urban papers located in B.C., Alberta, Washington State, Hawaii and Ohio.

Those interested in applying should submit their resumé by Friday, January 9, 2015 to:

Janice Marshall, Production Manager818 Broughton St., Victoria, BC V8W 1E4E-mail: [email protected]: (250) 386-2624

All inquiries and applications will be held in the strictest confidence.We would like to thank in advance all who apply, however only those chosen for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls please.

Creative ServicesGraphic Designer - Full Time

HELP WANTED

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

COMING EVENTS

CHRISTMAS TREE

RECYCLING

The Young musicians of the Vic High Concert Band, Choir and R&B band are

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BC FreshwaterFishing Regulations

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BENEFIT GROUP - Do you or someone you know suffer from a disability? Get up to $40,000 from the Canadian Govern-ment. Toll-free 1-888-511-2250 or visit us online: www.canadabenefit.ca/free-assessment

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www.blackpress.ca.You can also go to

http://vi.bbb.org/directory/ and click on the 2014 BBB

Accredited Business Directory

CLASSIFIED ADS WORK!Call 250.388.3535

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

INFORMATION

Disability Benefi tsFree Seminar

Speakers: Dr. Alison Bested, on

ME/FM, CFS, other

Julie Fisher, Lawyer, Long-Term Disability

and CPP

Annamarie Kersop, Lawyer,

Injury & No-Fault Benefi ts

Date: Mon. Feb.9, 2015

at 7 pmWhere: Hyatt Regency

VancouverRSVP: 604-554-0078 oroffi [email protected]

LEGALS

WAREHOUSEMAN’S LIEN ACT

Notice is hereby given that Kustom Towing, (2009) Ltd, 3297 Douglas St, Victoria, BC, V8Z 3K9 will be selling:

1995 NISSAN 4wrdr1N6HD16Y9SC422177

Owner R. Mizak2000 ISUZU RODEO

4S2DM58W6Y4700481Owner T. McElroy

2010 HYUNDAI ACCENTJTDBT123730300362

Owner R. Amaral1996 FORD EXPLORER1FMDU3299TZA76927

Owner T. Hornsby2006 FORD RANGER1FTZR45E07PA55604

Owner unknownWill be sold on January 21, 2015. At 647B Dup-plin Rd, Victoria, BC be-tween 10am-2pm.

PERSONALS

MAKE A Connection. Real People, Flirty Chat Call FREE! 250-220-1300 or 1-800-210-1010. www.livelinks.com 18+

MEET SINGLES right now! No paid operators, just real peo-ple like you. Browse greetings, exchange messages and con-nect live. Try it free. Call now: 1-800-712-9851

LOST AND FOUND

$250 REWARD! Lost Siamese cat- our 2 little girls have lost their best friend Wolverine (aka Wolvie or Zed). 9 mos old Seal Point Siamese with ear tattoo. Last seen Oct. 18, by Christmas Hill. 250-389-0184 [email protected]

LOST: ONE gold braided loop earring in Langford, Dec 30. Sentimental value. Please call 250-478-2791.

FOUND SOMETHING?

250.388.3535

TRAVEL

TIMESHARE

CANCEL YOUR Timeshare. No risk program stop mort-gage & maintenance pay-ments today. 100% money back guarantee. Free consul-tation. Call us now. We can help! 1-888-356-5248

TRAVEL

RV LOT rentals $8.95 a day. 362 days of sunshine, pets, events, classes, entertain-ment. Reserve by 02/14/2015. www.hemetrvresort.com. Call: 1-800-926-5593

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

TRAIN TO be an apart-ment/condominium Manager! Government certifi ed online course. Access to jobs across BC registered with us. 35 years of success! BBB Ac-credited Member. Visit us on-line at: www.RMTI.ca

HAIRCAREPROFESSIONALS

HAIR STYLISTS - $1000 Hiring Bonus. Full time/part time for First Choice Hair Cutters in their Victoria loca-tion. Must have hairstyling qualifi cations. $11/hr, bene-fi ts, paid overtime, vacation pay, 25% profi t sharing, paid birthday, advanced training and advancement opportu-nities. For an interview call 250-360-1923

HELP WANTED HELP WANTED

HELP WANTED

• HOUSEKEEPING • COORDINATOR

• HOUSEKEEPING STAFF •

• LAUNDRY AIDES •

Full-time & Part-time for All Care Canada

(Sidney Inc.), A Long Term Care

Residence in Sidney, BC.

Please visit our website for full details:

www.allcarecanada.caor email resumes to:

[email protected]

MEDICAL/DENTAL

MEDICAL TRANSCRIPTION is an in-demand career in Canada! Employers have work-at-home positions available. Get the online train-ing you need from an employ-er-trusted program. Visit: CareerStep.ca/MT or 1-888-528-0809 to start training for your work-at-home career to-day!

NEW YEAR, new career! Can-Scribe Medical Transcription graduates are in high demand. Enroll today and be working from home in one year! Email: [email protected]. Or call 1-800-466-1535. Or visit us on-line: www.canscribe.com.

HELP WANTED HELP WANTED

TRADES, TECHNICAL

CERTIFIED GM TECHNICIAN

TICKETED BODYMANVancouver Island, BC (see our community online atwww.porthardy.ca) busy GM dealership looking for two full time positions to be fi lled immediately. Very competi-tive pay scales, benefi ts, and fl exible schedules.

Send resume to [email protected]

• SAW FILER• ELECTRICIANS

• MILLWRIGHT/WELDER- Surrey B.C -

Searching for highly motivat-ed and ambitious individuals to work and be challenged in their fi eld.

Competitive Wage & Good Benefi t Package Offered!

Please forward your resume:

Fax:(1)604-581-4104 Email: [email protected]

Visit: www.tealjones.com

PRODUCTION WORKERSCanada’s Largest Independently owned news-paper group is currently looking for Part Time Production Workers for its Victoria location.This is an entry level general labour position that involves physical handling of news-papers and advertising supplements.REQUIREMENTS:• Prior bindery and/or

machine operator experience would be an asset

• Motivated self-starter willing to work in a fast paced environment performing repetitive tasks

• Must be able to lift up to 25 lbs and stand for long periods of time

• Ability to work cooperatively in a diverse, team based environment

• Must be reliable, dependable, have excellent communication skills and good attention to detail

• Must have own transportation

✱Afternoon and evening shifts 16-20 hours per week. $11.25 an hour

Interested parties may drop off their resumes between 9am and 5pm at:

GOLDSTREAM PRESS#220-770 Enterprise Avenue, Victoria, BC

A10 • www.oakbaynews.com Wednesday, January 7, 2015 - OAK BAY NEWSA10 www.oakbaynews.com Wed, Jan 7, 2015, Oak Bay News

PERSONAL SERVICES

ALTERNATIVE HEALTH

BARBARA LEIGHHYPNOTHERAPIST-

MIND BODY & SPIRIT

KRIPALU MASSAGE, Reiki, Acupressure, Chair Massage. I have relaxed clients that have been with me for 5-12 years. See testimonials on website. Women only. Call 250-514-6223 or visit online at: www.andreakober.com

HOLISTIC HEALTH

Trager® Bodywork allows you to move more freely with less pain and

tension. You’ll feel deeply relaxed & have greater mental clarity.

Rae BilashCertifi ed Trager PractitionerWomen only, men by referral

250-380-8733www.raebilash.ca

* Also Hot Stone Massage

FINANCIAL SERVICES

ARE YOU $10K or more in debt? DebtGo can help reduce a signifi cant portion of your debt load. Call now and see if you qualify. 1-800-351-1783

IF YOU own a home or real estate, Alpine Credits can lend you money: It’s That Simple. Your Credit / Age / Income is not an issue. 1.800.587.2161.

PERSONAL SERVICES

FINANCIAL SERVICES

LARGE FUNDBorrowers Wanted

Start saving hundreds of dollars today! We can easily approve you by phone. 1st, 2nd or 3rd mortgage money is available right now. Rates start at Prime. Equity counts. We don’t rely on credit, age or income.

Call Anytime1-800-639-2274 or

604-430-1498. Apply online www.capitaldirect.ca

MERCHANDISE FOR SALE

FOOD PRODUCTS

BEEF FARM GATE SALES. 1516 Mt. Douglas Cross Rd. Hours Friday & Saturday 10-4. Naturally raised, hormone free beef. Individual cuts sold, sharp, frozen & double wrapped. (250)477-3321.

FRIENDLY FRANK

3/4 BED (48”), with box spring and mattress, $55. Call (250)475-0311.

NEW MEN’S Rawlings sport shoes, black & white, sz 12, $15. (250)383-5390.

PAPER SHREDDER 3 6 sheet cross cut, new, $5. Call (778)440-3084.

FUEL/FIREWOOD

ARBUTUS, CYPRESS, fi r, hardwoods. Seasoned. Call 250-661-7391.

MISCELLANEOUS FOR SALE

NEWSPRINT ROLLENDS- $2-$10. Fridays only, 8:30am to 4:30pm. #200-770 Enter-prise Cres, Victoria. Gold-stream Press Division.

STEEL BUILDINGS/metal buildings 60% off! 20x28, 30x40, 40x62, 45x90, 50x120, 60x150, 80x100 sell for bal-ance owed! Call 1-800-457-2206 or visit us online www.crownsteelbuildings.ca.

STEEL BUILDINGS. “Really big sale!” All steel building models and sizes. Plus extra savings. Buy now and we will store until spring. Call Pioneer Steel 1-800-668-5422 or visit www.pioneersteel.ca

MISCELLANEOUS WANTED

ANTIQUES, BOOKS, col-lectibles, furniture, china, jew-elry. Estates/private libraries purchased. Galleon Books & Antiques, 250-655-0700

REAL ESTATE

MORTGAGES

PRIVATE MORTGAGE Lend-er. Funding smaller - 2nd, 3rd, & interim mortgages. No fees! Pls email: grpacifi [email protected] Courtesy to agents.

RENTALS

APARTMENT/CONDO

UNDER NEW MANAGEMENTOCEAN VIEW APTS

405 Cathrine St.Fully reno 1 & 2 br. apts

Avail. Immed.MOVE IN BONUS

5 min drive to DT Victoria Full time on site manager

Move in today250-588-9799

UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT

Rosalma Apts 841 Esquimalt Road,

Victoria

Fully Reno 1 & 2 Bd UnitsOn site staff

$300 Move-In IncentiveMove in today!

250-217-1969

UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT

Sunset Manor 804 Esquimalt Road,

Victoria

Fully Reno 1 & 2 Bd UnitsOn site staff

$300 Move-In IncentiveMove in today!

250-217-1969

RENTALS

SHARED ACCOMMODATION

GOLDSTREAM AREA- 1400 sq ft, newly furnished, W/D, D/W, A/C, big deck & yard, hi-def TV, parking. Working male only. $650 inclusive. Call Ray 778-433-1233.

NORTH SAANICH: 1 lrg bdrm suite, fully furn., new futon, W/D. Near airport. Quiet, re-spectful female. $400+ utils. NS/NP. Call (250)654-0417.

SUITES, LOWER

UVIC AREA: 2 bdrm, $1050 mo incls all utils, NS/NP, avail Jan. 1. Call 250-721-4040.

TRANSPORTATION

AUTO SERVICES

$$$ TOP CA$H PAID $$$. For ALL unwanted Vehicles, any condition. Call (250)885-1427.

CARS

We Buy Cars!$50 to $1000

Scrap Junk Running or Not!Cars Trucks Vans

FREE TOW AWAY

250-686-3933

HOME/BUSINESS SERVICES

CLEANING SERVICES

AFFORDABLE! SUPPLIES & vacuum incld’d. All lower Is-land areas. 250-385-5869.

DRYWALL

BEAT MY Price! Best work-manship. 38 years experience. Call Mike, 250-475-0542.

EAVESTROUGH

ABBA EXTERIORSProfessional gutter cleaning & repairs. Window cleaning. Roof de-mossing. Pkg dis-counts. WCB. (778)433-9275.

ELECTRICAL

(250)217-3090.ELECTRICIAN Lic.#3003. 25 yrs exp. Renos, new homes, knob & tube re-place. Sr.Disc.No job too small

250-361-6193 Quality Electric Reno’s, res & comm. No job too small. Lic# 22779.


ELECTRICAL

KENDRA’S ELECTRICAL Co. #86952. No Job too Small. Kendra, 250-415-7991.

NORTHERN SUN Electric Comm/Res. $40/hr. Work Guaranteed. Any size job. (250)888-6160. Lic#13981.

FENCING

ALL TYPES of fencing, re-pairs. Reliable, on-time. Free estimates. Call 250-888-8637.

GARDENING

DPM SERVICES- lawn & gar-den, seasonal pruning, clean ups, landscape, power wash, etc. 15yrs exp. (250)883-8141.

CLASSIFIED ADS MEAN MORE BUSINESS

250.388.3535


GARDENING

GUTTERS & DOWNSPOUTS

(250)889-5794. DIAMOND Dave- window, gutter cleaning, roof-de-moss, gutter guards, power washing. Free est.

GRAND XTERIOR Cleaning- Gutter, windows, de-moss, p wash. We clean your neigh-bours house. 250-380-7778.


HANDYPERSONS

BIG BEAR Handyman. Decks, Painting, Repairs. Free estimate. Barry 250-896-6071.

HAULING AND SALVAGE

$20 & Up Garbage & Garden waste removal. Senior Disc. Free estimates. 250-812-2279.

CLEAN-UP SPECIAL. You load bins, size 12 yard $100 plus dump fee or we do it all. Call 250-361-6164.

HAUL A WAY- Clean and green, Junk removal. Free quotes. Call (778)350-5050.

JUNK BOX- Junk Removal Company. Local guys. Low rates. Call (250)658-3944.

JUNK REMOVAL 7 days / wk.Fast Service, Best Prices!! Free quotes. (250)857-JUNK.

PARRY’S HAULING We haul it all - FREE estimates. Call Wes 250-812-7774.


HAULING AND SALVAGE

PETE’S HAUL A DAY- Junk removal. Airforce guy. Call 250-888-1221.

SAVE-A-LOT HAULING Furniture, appliance, garden waste, we take it all! Always lowest rate, senior discount. Brad 250-217-9578.

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

FULL SERVICE plumbing from Parker Dean. Fast, re-liable, 24/7 service. Take $50 off your next job if you present this ad. Vancouver area. 1-800-573-2928

& MOVING STORAGE

(250)858-6747. WRIGHT Bros Moving&Hauling.Free estimate $75=(2men&4tontruck)Sr Disc.

ALLSTAR MOVING Delivery Service. From $59. Free local travel. Call (250)818-2699.


PAINTING

A PROFESSIONAL Woman painter. Karen Bales Painting & Wall coverings. Over 25yrs exp. Free est. 250-514-5220.

OLD TIMER. Quality old fash-ioned service. Great rates. Ex-cellent references. Call Al at 250-474-6924, 250-888-7187.

PLASTERING

PATCHES,Drywall, skimming, match the textures, coves, fi re-places. Bob, 250-516-5178.

PRESSURE WASHING

DRIVEWAYS, WALKWAYS, Decks, etc. Reasonable rates. 250-744-8588, Norm.

STUCCO/SIDING

PATCHES, ADDITIONS, re-stucco, renos, chimney, water-proofi ng. Bob, 250-516-5178.


TREE SERVICES

BUDDY’S TREE SERVICES-Trimming, pruning, chipping,removals, hedges. Insured.Call Keith, (250)474-3697.

UPHOLSTERY

UPHOLSTER- Furniture re-pairs, scratches, re-gluing, fi xsprings, foam. 250-480-9822.

WINDOW CLEANING

DAVE’S WINDOW Cleaning.Windows, Gutters, Sweeping,Roofs, Roof Demossing, Pres-sure Washing. 250-361-6190.

GRAND XTERIOR Cleaning-We clean your neighbourshouse. Gutters, window,roofs, de-moss. 250-380-7778.

SERVICE DIRECTORYwww.bcclassified.com 250.388.3535

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OAK BAY NEWS - Wednesday, January 7, 2015 www.oakbaynews.com • A11OAK BAY NEWS - Wednesday, January 7, 2015 www.oakbaynews.com • A11

Wednesday, Jan. 7The 35th Annual

New Year’s tennis tournament for girls, boys, women and men for ages 8 to 80 years. Adults Jan. 5 to 18 at the Tennis Bubble at Oak Bay Recreation Centre.

Current Events Discussion Drop‐in from 1 to 2:30 p.m. in the Dogwood Room at Monterey. Join Kathryn Kearney, retired college professor from George Brown College in Toronto, for a short presentation and interactive discussion session.

Thursday, Jan. 8Eclectic Gallery

introduces its first salon-style exhibit featuring more than a dozen gallery artists who immerse themselves in their vision of discovery. Exhibit runs from Jan. 5 to Feb. 28. Reception Jan. 8 from 6 to 8 p.m. Eclectic Gallery, 2170 Oak Bay Ave.

If I can Dream at McPherson Playhouse at 7:30 p.m. Stephen Michael Kabakos

captures an authentic portrayal of Elvis Presley. Tickets are $43 at rmts.bc.ca

One-on-one learning about e-readers and computers at the Oak Bay library at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday. Registration required at gvpl.ca or call 250-940-GVPL (4875).

Saturday, Jan. 10Live Music and

Dinner and dance at Monterey Recreation Centre Saturday Jan. 10 at 5:30 p.m.

Esquimalt Recreation Open House 527 Fraser St., 8:30 a.m. to noon. Info: 250-412-8500.

Moss Street Winter Market. Fairfield Community Centre, 1330 Fairfield Rd., 10 a.m to noon.

Ethiopian Christmas Celebration dinner and dance will be Saturday, Jan. 10, from 7 p.m. to midnight at the Ukrainian Cultural Centre, 3277 Douglas St. The cost is $20 for adults, $10 for teens and kids under 13 are free.

Sunday, Jan. 11Polin: First Visit to

My Ancestral Land, an illustrated talk and reading by Isa Milman. Congregation Emanu-El Synagogue, 1461 Blanshard St., 2 p.m. Admission is by donation.

Monday, Jan. 12Oak Bay Seniors

Activity Association monthly meeting at 10 a.m. in the Pine Room at 1442 Monterey Ave.

Storytimes & Puppet Plays from 10:30 to 11 a.m. for babies 0-15 months and their caregiver. Learn songs, rhymes and fingerplays to use

with your baby every day. No registration required at the Oak Bay branch of the GVPL, 1442 Monterey Ave.

Tuesday, Jan. 13Burns Dinner, 5:30

p.m. at Monterey Recreation Centre. Tickets are $20.50 and $23.50 for a “Traditional Scottish Feast” of roast beef, mashed potatoes, ’neeps, Yorkshire pudding and Haggis with trifle for dessert.

Purchase tickets in advance from reception.

Drop in Toddler time, for youngsters 16-35

months and their caregiver. Toddler-terrific stories, songs, rhymes and puppets. No registration required. Starts 10:30 a.m. at the Oak Bay branch of the GVPL, 1442 Monterey Ave.

Friday, Jan. 16Drop-in Family

Storytime from 10:30-11 a.m. at the Oak Bay Branch of the Greater Victoria Public Library, 1442 Monterey Ave.

Rick Vito and the Lucky Devils in the Upstairs Cabaret at 8 p.m. Tickets are $35.50. For more information visit rmts.bc.ca

Saturday, Jan. 17Food sensitivities

with Dr. Michelle Payne. Learn how sensitivities are different from allergies and intolerances with Dr. Michelle Payne, a naturopathic physician who helps her patients achieve their health goals, prevent illness, and restore health naturally. Register online or call 250-940-GVPL (4875) for more information. At the Oak Bay branch of the GVPL starting at 2 p.m.

Volkssport - 5/10 km walk. Meet at Pearkes Recreation Centre, 3100 Tillicum Rd. Registration 9:30 a.m.; walk 10 a.m. Contact

is Hazel at 250-385-5439.

Abbamania with Night Fever/The BeeGees at McPherson Playhouse 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $47 at rmts.bc.ca

Snowed In Comedy Tour with four international comedians at the Royal Theatre. Returning is Arj Barker, Dan Quinn, and MC Craig Campbell with new performer Paul Myrehaug. Tickets are $40 at rmts.bc.ca

Share your community event email your community calendar item to [email protected].

Community Calendar

COMMUNITY SUPPORT WORKER- SOCIAL SERVICES

CALL VICTORIA: 250.384.8121 OR VISIT SPROTTSHAW.COM

As a Community Support Worker, you will be able to provide rehabilitation, support, and other forms of assistance tochildren, youth, and families while supporting social workers and health care professionals. Train in this rewarding career.

Career Opportunities: Child and Youth Care Worker ● Women’s Shelter Worker Teen Pregnancy and Parenting Support Worker Family Place Worker ● Settlement/Newcomers Service Worker

PROGRAMS START MONTHLY

FIND YOUR PASSION. FIND YOUR PURPOSE.

email classi�[email protected]

Your community. Your classi�eds.

250.388.3535

• ATVs • Bicycles • Camping Gear • Kayaks • Student Rentals• Landscaping Service • Painting Service• Summer Jobs

ADVERTISE IN...Summer is the perfect time to

CrosswordACROSS 1. Bank machine 4. Prevent from speaking 7. Prints money10. Lollygag12. Light beige14. City in India15. Weak tweet17. 40-day Jewish season18. Coat a highway19. Where nerves and blood cells attach to an organ20. Destroyed22. Smallest whole number 23. Point midway between NE and E25. Egg-shaped wind instrument26. Seemlinesses28. Iranian language

29. 14th of Adar31. Funnyman Knotts32. Taking part in37. Type of Cuckoo bird38. Burkus and Bargatze39. Scalp infecting insects41. Corrects a clock44. Do over, as of a house47. Formicidae48. Records brain waves50. Body structures52. The Muse of lyric poetry54. Aquires55. Peruvian monetary unit56. Makes folds57. Volcanic mountain in Japan58. Unrestrained revelry59. 2nd weekday (abbr.) 21. Angry

24. Filippo ____, Saint27. Yellowish pinks30. Unit of time (abbr.)32. Deficiency in color33. Pixar cartoonist34. Tapeworm, for example35. Egyptian Sun god36. A bed canopy40. Yeddo42. Orange Pekoe container43. English, Irish or Gordon44. Traditional Hindu music45. An independent ruler or chieftan46. Connects cellular granules49. 19th C. naturalist Philip Henry51. British school53. Road groove

60. Soviet Socialist Republic (abbr.)61. Point midway between N and NE62. Before

DOWN 1. Even though 2. A way of pulling 3. One who sends letters 4. B. Fuller’s dome 5. The culminating point 6. El _____, painter 7. Building at 175 5th Ave. 8. Vulturine 9. Charles II’s home in exile11. Italian monk’s prefixed title13. Type of acid16. Sized before using or selling18. A heavenly place

Today’s Answers

A12 • www.oakbaynews.com Wednesday, January 7, 2015 - OAK BAY NEWSA12 • www.oakbaynews.com Wednesday, January 7, 2015 - OAK BAY NEWS

Santas Anonymous seeks permanent homeTravis PatersonBlack Press

For the last two months, more than 500 elves have secretly sorted, packed and prepped packages for 1,400 Greater Victoria families in the former Emily Carr Library branch at 3500 Blanshard St.

The building has been vacant since the Greater Victoria Public Library vacated the building and moved into Uptown in January 2014. That made it a perfect fit for CFAX Santas Anonymous, a surprisingly nomadic charity organization that provides 5,200 bags of groceries to families across the region each holiday season.

“We’ve been homeless for 37 years,” said CFAX Santas Anonymous president Dan Deringer. “Every year, we start the process again of finding a space that can accommodate us.”

For 2015, that process starts now.

Crews used each and every room in the Emily Carr library, one of two facilities donated to Santas Anonymous last year. The old North Douglas Distributors warehouse off Boleskine Road is where the final package of toys and groceries are delivered (by local firefighters) or picked up by receiving families.

“We’ve run this program from vacant schools, warehouses, storefronts and buildings,” Deringer said.

The retired DND worker has been with Santas Anonymous for four years. During that time, they were blessed with the use of the vacated Richmond elementary school. But with the current seismic upgrade schedule, Richmond is an active school once again: George Jay elementary is

using it this year and Cloverdale students will move in next year.

Saanich donated the old Emily Carr building to Santas Anonymous free of charge, but it’s unlikely it will happen again in 2015.

“There will be discussion in the new year and, likely, an engineering assessment to upgrade (the 1972) building,” said Harley Machielse, Saanich’s newly appointed director of engineering. “Right now, there’s no plan for the building, so I can’t speculate too much, but I would think a future tenant is ideal.”

Selling the building has not been in the preliminary discussion, though Machielse wouldn’t rule it out.

“We have a lot to look at for plumbing and seismic upgrading, if needed, so selling it is not on the radar, but we will need to know more about it before we can move forward,” he said.

It means Deringer and crew are back to the same place they are every January, putting their heads together in the executive director’s home office.

“We knock on wood that something will come up. There’s a lot of hard work going into this, but we can’t streamline the process without a space,” Deringer said.

Ideally, the charity hopes to find an expansive space it can share with another tenant. Santas Anonymous would need to take over most of the building in November and December. From January to mid-October, they have an army of volunteers and a grant program to offer a partner willing to share the rental fees for a permanent location. Santas Anonymous programs such as Kids helping Kids run all year, but are not as demanding in terms of space.

Travis Paterson/Black Press

Jackie Smith of Santas Anonymous out front of the vacant Emily Carr Library at Blanshard Street and Saanich Road.

OAK BAY ART CLUB

Exhibition & Sale

Jacq

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Jan. 30th to Feb. 25th, 2015 (WEEKDAYS ONLY)

Opening Reception: Sunday, February 1st, 1:30 - 3:30 pmGoward House Society, 2495 Arbutus Road, Victoria, BC V8N 1V9

250-477.4401

www.oakbayartclub.comContact: Janet Mercer

Email: [email protected]

ALL YOU NEED isHEART

Proudly sponsored by…

One New Year’s resolution we’ll all be making.A full disposal ban on kitchen scraps at Hartland landfill takes effect January 1, 2015. The ban will divert compostable items like vegetables, meat, bones, grains, dairy products, fruit and soiled paper that currently take up thirty percent of the landfill. At the same time, diverted kitchen scraps will significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and will be processed into beneficial compost.So contact your waste hauler or municipality directly, plan for collection options and make a note on your calendar. Then we can all look forward to a happy, more sustainable New Year!For general information about the kitchen scrap diversion strategy visit www.crd.bc.ca/kitchenscraps

JAN 2015

Kitchen Scraps Diversion

www.crd.bc.ca

Documents

Oak Bay News, January 07, 2015