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Kyle SlavinNews staff

Christmas on Tuxedo Drive just isn’t complete without the over-the-top colourful outdoor display at the Salmond house.

When a health scare in 2012

forced Neil Salmond to slow his lifestyle down, it also forced him to cancel last year’s display.

“I had a cardiac event. I was very lucky. I didn’t even really know it happened,” he said. “They put you on medications but they have some different side effects which really take the stuff-ing out of you. ... So by the time it was coming to Christmas (2012) I just didn’t have the energy to do the Christmas display.”

He says neighbours and Greater Victoria residents took note that after 21 years straight,

their massive display was miss-ing.

“We felt bad because a lot of people were still coming by look-ing for it,” he said. “We were walk-ing one day and a lady didn’t who were are asked, ‘Do you know where the Christmas display is? I sure hope everything’s okay.’”

If there’s one thing the health scare did, it highlighted the brev-ity of life. “We should live life to the fullest and appreciate every day that we have,” he said.

And for the Salmonds, living life to the fullest means getting

pure joy out of seeing the smiles of the 20,000-plus visitors at their annual Christmas display.

This year it’s back in a slightly smaller, but just as impressive, scale, to see how much Neil can do while his medication contin-ues to slow him down.

Neil and his wife Michelle have spent the last month hanging and setting up hundreds of decora-tions and lights. Among them are a 25-foot-tall inflatable elf and a 25-foot-tall inflatable nutcracker – both of which tower over the Salmond home.

“Our garage is full (of Christ-mas decorations), we have four sheds full, and a section in a warehouse, which filled a five-ton truck to bring in here,” Neil said.

The Christmas display runs nightly until Jan. 2 at 4091 Tuxedo Dr. The Salmonds turn the lights on around 5:30 p.m.

“Why do we do it? It just makes a lot of people happy, and it’s something to give back to Victo-ria. It’s just a sea of people out there and we love to see all the smiles.”

[email protected]

Big and bold, Christmas returns to Tuxedo

Neil Salmond hangs decorations in his front

yard, at 4091 Tuxedo Dr., which is decked out with

hundreds of Christmas decorations, including a 25-foot-tall inflatable elf,

a 25-foot-tall inflatable nutcracker, and a

massive Santa Claus, complete with his sleigh

and reindeer.

Kyle Slavin/News staff

Beloved display lights up Saanich neighbourhood after a year hiatus

Driver’s seatVictoria’s Jeff Scott doesn’t let injury slow him down.

Page A4

NEWS: Unionization closer for UVic profs /A3MONDAY WEEKEND: Bach is back, baby /A11SPORTS: Victoria Grizzlies shake things up /A14

SAANICHNEWS

Local residents targeted for scams

Residents in Saanich and Greater Victoria continue to be targeted for identity theft, lately through email scams.

Saanich police have been inundated with calls from resi-dents receiving emails from people identifying themselves as representatives of govern-ment agencies or companies like Microsoft. In the emails, the receiver is asked to give personal information via email.

Saanich police are remind-ing residents no government agency or major company would ask for personal infor-mation over email.

Police are advising residents to keep a close eye on their financial records and to imme-diately report any inconsisten-cies to their financial institution to the police.

Police nab men for small grow-op

Saanich police seized 48 marijuana plants from a house in the 700-block of Claremont

Ave. on Dec. 4 after a tip led to a search warrant.

Police arrested two Saanich men, 36 and 28 years old, who are facing charges of posses-sion for the purpose of traffick-ing and production of a con-trolled substance.

“Certainly not an exception-ally large marijuana grow oper-ation,” said Sgt. Steve Eassie, “but what is of concern to us is this was not in a residence that was owned by those individu-als.”

Eassie said homeowners who rent need to make sure their house isn’t being used for illegal activities. The home has sustained damage from the grow-op.

Police seeking info on September vandalism

Police are still seeking infor-mation on an act of vandalism at Reynolds secondary school on Sept. 5 which caused $28,000 worth of damage to the school.

Vandals used concrete to smash 15 windows and 14 solar panels.

Police believe a group of students were involved, some who might be willing to come forward with information, even if anonymously.

Anyone with information is asked to call Saanich police

at 250-475-4321 or, to remain anonymous, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).

Coins for Kids drive going strong

The Black Press Coins for Kids campaign is in full swing as local businesses collect spare change for Greater Victo-ria’s neediest residents.

For the past 17 years, Black Press-Greater Victoria has raised more than $600,000 for dozens of charities through Coins for Kids (formerly Pen-nies for Presents).

This year’s proceeds will benefit the Salvation Army Stan Hagen Centre for Families, which helped 1,500 families with food hampers and gave toys and presents to another 800 families last year alone.

Look for the Coins for Kids box at participating businesses including Red Barn Market, Peppers Foods, Salon Mod-ello, Capital Iron, Heirloom Lin-ens, Corona Foods, Standard Furniture, Slater’s Meats, Oak Bay Pharmasave, Dodd’s Fur-niture, Verico Select Mortgage, Brick Langford, Frontrunners, 4 Cats Art Studio, Quality Cob-bler, Western Foods and Gold-stream Food Market.

You can also donate spare change at the Black Press head office, 818 Broughton St.

COMMUNITYNEWSIN BRIEF


The Saanich Police Board on Tuesday named Saanich police Insp. Scott Green the new dep-uty Chief Constable.

Green, who has been with the Saanich police since 1988, is cur-rently the inspector in charge of the detective division.

He will take over the deputy chief position effective Feb. 1, 2014, when current deputy Bob Downie gets promoted to

chief. The leadership changes are spurred on by current Chief Const. Mike Chadwick retiring on Jan. 31.

“The members of the Saanich Police Board were impressed with the qualifications and obvious leadership qualities of Insp. Green.

“His education and his operational and administra-tive experience will serve Saan-ich well as we move forward,”

said Saanich Mayor Frank Leonard, chair of the police board.

Green has received a number of polic-ing honours in his career, including the Police Exemplary Ser-vice Medal from the Governor General of Canada. He was also a member of the Cops

for Cancer Tour de Rock team in 2011.

[email protected]

Saanich names new deputy chief

Scott Green

A2 • www.vicnews.com Friday, December 13, 2013- SAANICH NEWS

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For the first time in the Uni-versity of Victoria’s 50 year history and in the wake of a successful certification drive, professors and librarians will have a chance to form a union.

Jason Price, vice-president of the UVic Faculty Asso-ciation, announced Thursday that more than 45 per cent of its 850 members signed the necessary membership cards.

“I can’t help but think of the historic significance of this,” he said, referring to former unionization attempts made by the association in 1988, 1999 and 2008. “It makes sense that it took 25 years to make a decision because it’s an important one.”

Price said faculty members seeking unionization isn’t

about salaries. Currently, as an association, they don’t have the power to grieve issues such as working conditions, tenure and long-term disability during contract negotiations with the university.

The next step in the process is to file an application with the Labour Relations Board, which will verify that the 45 per cent threshold has been met. If so, a union certification vote will be held.

“I’m sure the faculty will make the right decision, and the right decision is clear. Cer-tification is the way forward to address issues, and it’s the only way to effectively repre-sent our membership,” Price said. “The vast majority of our colleagues (across Canada) have moved to certification because it gives us a toolbox of legal rights.”

[email protected]

Edward HillNews staff

The federal government is elimi-nating funding for subsidized Eng-lish language training for immi-grants at B.C. community colleges, including Camosun College, offi-cials said this week.

At any given time, 200 to 300 recent newcomers to Victoria receive English as a second lan-guage training at Camosun’s Inter-urban and Landsdowne cam-puses, often for free.

The college found out last week that $2.5 million allocated for domestic ESL training wouldn’t be renewed in April 2014.

Camosun is the second largest ESL provider in B.C., after Vancou-ver Community College.

“ESL is at the core of what we

offer at the college. It’s about get-ting new Canadians to a point where they are contributing eco-nomically. (The cuts) are disap-pointing for us, to put it mildly,” said Joan Yates, Camosun’s vice-president of community engage-ment.

“With advanced language train-ing, (immigrants) are able to move on to post-secondary, or are able to get a job or work in a job they are already qualified to do,” said Kelly Pitman, president of the Camosun College Faculty Associa-tion. “In the long term it’s very bad for the economy not to train these students.”

Camosun received a head’s-up from the Ministry of Advanced Education that it likely wouldn’t receive funding normally routed from the federal govern-

ment for domestic ESL. Interna-tional ESL is fully funded from for-eign students studying here.

In 2012, Citizenship and Immi-gration Canada announced it would cancel the Canada-B.C. Immigration Agreement on April 1, 2014, and $17 million in annual ESL funding that came with it.

Institutions like Camosun sub-mitted proposals to Citizen and Immigration Canada to deliver ESL training, but Minister of Advanced Education Amrik Virk said none of those proposals were accepted.

Virk said domestic ESL training won’t end, but the federal govern-ment would deliver programming directly, although how and where remains unknown.

“The end users will still get the service provided by the federal government,” he said.

Virk noted that colleges have been aware for more than a year that ESL funding under the exist-ing regime would likely end with

the dissolution of the Canada-B.C. Immigration Agreement, and should have been planning accordingly.

“Each institution was well aware of the time frame,” he said. “They knew this was coming. It was well known there was potential the funding was going to cease.”

Citizenship and Immigration Canada said in an email that it resumed direct management of settlement services, including language training, so immigrants have access to the same level of service across the county.

In terms of delivering domes-tic ESL programs, it said “No final decisions have yet been made.”

Camosun still has a mandate to offer domestic ESL training, Yates said, meaning the college will likely have to find the money from other areas of its budget. Camo-sun has about 13 faculty teaching ESL at risk of losing their jobs.

On top of the cut to domestic

ESL funding, she said the ministry indicated the college could expect an additional $2.5 million cut to its 2014 operating budget, which in 2013 was $105 million.

Nothing is official, but Camo-sun is planning its departmental spending with a potential $5 mil-lion loss “added to a difficult bud-get year,” Yates said.

“If that is the case it likely means cuts elsewhere (at the college),” she said.

The college says it strives to make cuts that have the least amount of impact on students and their education, but Pitman doubts that principle will be upheld heading into 2014.

“We’ve been pared to the bone. We’ve been instructed to have as little impact on students. That’s not possible any longer,” Pitman said. “It’s hard to imagine this not resulting in less opportunity for students.”

[email protected]

Feds kill funding for English training at CamosunUnclear how ESL will continue; college instructors face layoffs

A tree to rememberThree-year-old Maxime Camaraire stands with his favourite tree at the Gordon Head Recreation Centre. Stop by the centre to vote for your favourite tree by Dec. 20 to be entered to win an access pass and other prizes. Donations of warm clothing or non-perishable food are also being accepted.

Sharon Tiffin/News staff

UVic faculty clears hurdle to vote on forming union

Seven per cent of Capital Region employ-ers responding to research firm Man-power say they plan to hire in the first quarter of 2014, equalling the number who expect to lay off employees in the new year.

Manpower calls the hiring climate “mild” for upcoming months.

Removing seasonal variations, the net employment outlook of eight per cent – the percentage of firms hir-ing minus those laying off – is 13 points higher than last year, showing marked improvement over the start of 2013.

Local job market expected to grow

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Edward HillNews staff

It was Christmas come early for Jeff Scott as he took hold of the keys to a gleaming Dodge Grand Caravan last week. The vehicle was even draped in a big red bow.

The 28-year-old Victoria man is back on the road, a new inflection point on a journey from a devastat-ing trauma to a hectic life of school, running a charitable foundation and playing wheelchair rugby.

“It’s surreal that it’s mine,” Scott said. “The reliability and freedom of this van is unbelievable. It’s unlike anything I have imagined.”

Scott was one of three winners of a free 2013 Dodge van outfitted with $40,000 in wheelchair accessibil-ity equipment and adaptive driving technology.

An essay contest organized by the National Mobility Equipment Deal-ers Association (NMEDA) saw some 1,225 entries whittled down to three through a process of online voting and a panel of judges. The other two winners are in the U.S.

Friends and family from across B.C. – parents Connie and Steve Scott from Burns Lake and sister Lindsay Giricke from Bella Coola – and industry officials from the U.S. crowded into the Shoppers Home Health Care store on Hillside Avenue on Dec. 5 to present Scott the van.

“When you’re in a wheelchair you can’t run to the store for groceries. It makes everything more difficult from catching a bus to catching a cab. You rely on other people to help you. It’s frustrating at times,” Scott told the crowd. “The van rep-resents ... that feeling of freedom, to go where you want when you want. Now I can offer (rides) to friends.”

Shoppers Home Health Care co-ordinated a continent-wide effort to rebuild the van for Scott’s mobil-ity limitations as a quadriplegic with partial arm and hand move-ment. Chrysler donated the van,

BraunAbility installed the wheel-chair ramp, hydraulic kneeling sys-tem and a driver’s chair that rotates and moves up and down.

Shoppers installed the adaptive driving, which allows Scott to con-trol the brake and acceleration with a hand control. The entire steer-ing column was rebuilt in Toronto and New Jersey to reduce pressure needed to turn the steering wheel.

Scott, a wildfire firefighter and out-door adventurer, damaged two ver-tebrae on April 11, 2010, in a snow-boarding accident in Revelstoke. “I shorted a gap in a jump, landed flat and woke up a quadriplegic,” he said.

He spent nine weeks without the ability to breathe, talk or eat on his own, and more than a year in reha-bilitation in Vancouver. His mother Connie said her son never felt

sorry for himself or surrendered to depression.

“How you see him today he’s been every single day since the accident,” she said. “We never imagined he’d live independently let alone drive independently. It’s hard to put into words how inspiring he is for us.”

Scott moved to Victoria two years ago to play wheelchair rugby and to study for a degree in emergency management. Not content with that, he is also the director of the Live It! Love It! Foundation.

Through Live It! Love It!, Scott funds outdoor adventure camps in Whistler and at Silver Star Resort for people with physical disabilities. His life of adventure has changed, but it hasn’t ended – he’s an avid sit-skiier, he river fishes for steelhead and even went body surfing in Hawaii.

“There are luxuries I’m afforded

due to family and friends. There’s adventures I get to go on and not everyone can do that,” he said. “If I can share that love, I’m a happy man.”

Scott regained his driver’s licence two months ago. Joe Cyr, with the automotive department for Shop-pers Home Health Care, said using adaptive hand controls rather than floor pedals is easier than people might think, although the process to regain a driver’s licence to outfit a vehicle can be daunting.

“Five or six manufacturers are involved with gear that has to work together in the vehicle,” Cyr said. “There’s a lot of headaches to push through, but there’s a good result in the end.”

For more on Live It! Love It! Foun-dation, see liveitloveit.org.

[email protected]

Edward Hill/News staff

Victoria’s Jeff Scott beams after receiving a free Dodge Grand Caravan outfitted with adapted driving and wheelchair equipment, at the Shoppers Home Health Care store on Hillside Avenue. Scott won the van through a contest organized by the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association.

Limited mobility, but not limited in lifeCharity director and wheelchair rugby player awarded free adapted-driving van

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House robbed as Saanich family sleeps

Overnight on Dec. 9 a per-son entered a house in the 4000-block of Blackberry Lane where a family slept using a remote garage door opener stolen from a car parked out-side.

The suspect opened the garage door slightly and then entered the house through the garage. The family was not disturbed during the break-in but awoke to find a wallet, purse and other items missing.

“It’s obviously of grave con-cern that somebody would be so brazen to enter a home when it is very likely that’s somebody’s asleep inside,” said Sgt. Steve Eassie.

Thefts from vehicles spike in past weeks

Over the past two weeks thefts from vehicles have been on the rise in Saanich, spe-cifically on Gorge Road, the 3300-block of Glasgow Ave-nue and the 700 to 1000 block of Tulip Avenue areas. “This is not simply targeting vehicles that have been left unlocked,” Sgt. Steve Eassie said.

Many locked car doors were broken into and windows pried back to gain entry. Most of

the thefts are happening in the early morning. There have been more than 20 break-ins in the past two weeks.

How to tip your newspaper carrier

Rain or shine, wind or snow, 104 times a year a small army of people deliver the News to thousands of doorsteps in Greater Victoria.

At this time of year we are often asked by readers how to tip their carriers. There’s no pressure to tip, but a token of gratitude will go a long way for the kids and adult carriers.

Either catch carriers on their route or call the Black Press at 250-360-0817 to arrange a holiday tip.

Sharon Tiffin/News staff

Winter freshMike Nyberg checks the broccoli after the cold weather in one of his greenhouses on Haliburton Farm in Saanich. Fresh produce lovers need not despair, the broccoli will send out new shoots once the weather gets warmer. Haliburton produce can be found on Wednesdays at the Victoria Public Market in the Hudson.


Saanich council is calling on the province to consult with municipal governments and British Columbi-ans before making changes to the Agricultural Land Commission.

Council this week unanimously supported a motion by Coun. Dean Murdock that highlights steps that should be taken if the province decides to revise how decisions are made by the land commission.

“This council has a history of defending farmland and speaking up for agriculture. And promoting local food initiatives and food security is a big part of our official community plan,” Murdock said. “It’s completely consistent for council to step up and say ‘We have to defend the agricul-tural land reserve.’ … Ultimately (any changes) could have a big impact on our ability to grow food for ourselves.”

Earlier this fall, documents were leaked suggesting the provincial gov-ernment was considering disman-tling or making sweeping changes to the ALC and indicated a desire to modernize the commission to ensure government’s priorities for economic development are reflected in ALC decisions.

Murdock says his concern is munic-ipal governments will lose authority

on land-use decisions, regardless of what changes are made.

Saanich farmer Rob Galey says he supports council’s push. He says he expects he and fellow farmers would be consulted before any changes are made to the ALR.

“The idea of the agricultural land reserve is to protect farmland, but there’s no sense in saving the farm-land if you’re not going to protect your farmers,” he said.

Council is asking the province for an extensive consultation process before making any decisions on the future of the ALC. Murdock is also asking Saanich residents to write to council, local MLAs and the province to share their concerns on the issue.

“We believe that it’s important that Saanich residents and British Colum-bians have an opportunity to express their desire to preserve the ALR,” Murdock said.

Energy Minister Bill Bennett, the minister in charge of the govern-ment’s “core review” has said, “We’re not even considering blowing up the ALC, or bringing it inside govern-ment.”

He did not comment on the sug-gestion that the province could be divided into two zones with different processes.

–with files from Erin Haluschak and Tom Fletcher

[email protected]

Saanich calls on province to uphold agricultural land reserve

COMMUNITYNEWSIN BRIEF


VIEWPOINTPenny Sakamoto Group PublisherKevin Laird Editorial DirectorEdward Hill Editor Oliver Sommer Advertising Director

The Saanich News is published every Wednesday and Friday by Black Press Ltd., 818 Broughton S., Victoria, B.C. V8W 1E4. Phone: 250-381-3484. Fax: 250-386-2624. Web: www.vicnews.com

The 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 does not resolve your complaint about coverage or story treatment, 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.

OUR VIEW

Ottawa trashes ESL, defies logic For our economy to grow, for employers to

find employees and for the entrepreneurial spirit to flourish, Canada needs

immigrants. Simply put, native-born Canadians aren’t producing enough kids.

A key element for immigrants to be successful in this country is proficiency in English (at least in B.C.). For many years, that English as a second language training has been provided by public community colleges in B.C. – they have the class space, the instructors and established curriculum.

The federal government, more specifically Citizenship and Immigration Canada, has decided to dissolve the entire domestic ESL system in British Columbia.

Last year, 9,000 immigrants and new Canadians received domestic ESL training, often for free or at a subsidized rate, through $17 million in “flow-through” money from Citizenship and Immigration Canada to the B.C. Ministry of Advanced Education, which allocated it to schools like Camosun College here in Victoria.

But in three and a half months, funding for domestic ESL will end, and Citizenship and Immigration Canada will pick up the ball and organize and run domestic ESL programs itself.

The problem is, nobody in B.C. knows how or where this will happen. Even the Minister of Advanced Education, who assures this newspaper that domestic ESL will continue, admits it’s unclear how it will be delivered.

Perhaps retooling domestic ESL makes sense in Ottawa. Why continue indefinitely with a system saddled with classrooms and experience when it can be built from scratch?

Not that Citizenship and Immigration Canada has told anybody its plan, if it has a plan. The clock is ticking, but the federal ministry says “no final decisions have yet been made” for delivering ESL, and that the change is about offering consistent services for immigrants across Canada.

Perhaps the feds will come to their senses before April and find some face-saving way to funnel domestic ESL cash to B.C. In the meantime, schools like Camosun are planning for a future absent of teaching English to new people to our nation.

YOUR VIEW

Re: B.C. Hydro rate hike is simply robbery (Letters, vicnews.com)

I find comments made by Ms. McFadyen insulting and annoying, as she is making her comments by shooting from the hip without doing any research.

B.C. has the third-lowest hydro rates in the country. The cost for 1,000 kilowatt/hours is $68.96 in Quebec, $78.92 in Manitoba, and $89.07 in B.C. Come April 1, 2014, add another nine per cent to our rates, which brings it to $97.09. Even with the increase, B.C. will remain third-lowest in the country.

I suggest she do her homework before writing to the editor. The reading public were not born yesterday.

Joe SawchukDuncan

CRD working on the wrong sewage plan

The Capital Regional District’s $783-million waste – otherwise known as the sewage plan – has encountered a huge amount of opposition from outside and in: environmentalists, professors, even some CRD board members.

There are many groups of concerned volunteers in Victoria trying to get the CRD to wake up. Those volunteers have been contributing time and their own after-tax money to fight for Richard

Atwell’s RITE plan, which would be to everyone’s benefit.

On one side, Victoria’s volunteers have to work to feed their families, to pay tax, and to fight the CRD without financial support. On the other side, the CRD has abundant tax dollars and they can always get more from our pockets.

It seems that it’s very hard for the RITE plan to get the attention of the majority of decision makers. At the same time though, more citizens are realizing the CRD is on the wrong path.

Will their resources and “public education” (Seaterra advertising) overcome the growing public outcry?

By bungling the Viewfield Road sludge plant proposal, the CRD has already lost the trust of Greater Victoria residents. Now, they’ve lost control of the whole project and they’re about to lose face, so they’re scrambling to justify this sinking ship.

The more they engage in damage control, the more your tax dollars will suffer.

Linda LiSaanich

Police departments need more funding, not less

Policing is a positive action for human life, as it protects individuals against errant persons who initiate

force. Here, police are also expected to be counsellors and helpers of individuals who are mentally confused or on very hard times financially – notably the homeless.

Yet Saanich police apparently cannot afford a very efficient way to patrol parks like Cuthbert Holmes, where both peaceful and violent homeless people are. Bicycle patrols are much more efficient than foot patrols in the scale of that park. Even SUVs can’t navigate all the trails.

Police chiefs and police boards should be asking for substantially more funding instead of being cowed by politicians.

Voters should challenge councillors and the mayor to provide more funds for policing, instead of spending on fancy flower beds or meaningless bureaucratic reports.

Overall, the justice system helps poor people the most, because they do not have financial resilience to cope with theft of their belongings and loss of income due to injury from assault. Yet politicians who claim to want to help people are the strongest objectors to funding the justice system properly.

Keith SketchleySaanich

•••Let your voice be heard. Send your thoughts to [email protected]

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They attract attention wherever they go.

Onlookers see things like a recum-bent bike transformed into Santa’s sleigh with reindeer attached, or bikes covered fender-to-fender in colourful lights.

Attracting attention is a key point of the Terry van Fleet Memorial Christmas light ride. The event’s 16th edition, set for Saturday (Dec. 14) will see Greater Victoria Cycling Coalition members and guests cruise more than 15 kilometres through Esquimalt neighbourhoods viewing holiday decorations.

Van Fleet was struck and killed by a pickup truck as he rode, with lights on, along Blanshard Street in 1998.

“It’s important to be as lit as possible, so drivers can see you,” said Jan van Hoorn, the coalition committee secre-tary.

As always, riders taking part in this year’s Christmas tour must be outfit-ted with rear and front safety lights, at

least. Participants are also encouraged to add a little extra, for seasonal flair.

“People do appreciate when you’re lit up,” van Hoorn said, especially in a group situation. “What I really like about it is people respond positively to you. They have a different kind of honk, ‘beep beep,’ instead of ‘honk, get out of my way!’”

Riders are asked to meet for registra-tion at the Esquimalt Recreation Cen-tre, 527 Fraser St., at 6 p.m. Suggested donation is $5. The two-hour ride starts at 6:30 p.m. and free refreshments and door prize tickets are available at the recreation centre.

Visit gvcc.bc.ca for more [email protected]

Janet Besler, front to her right, Greg Merkly, Darren Marr, Sam and Norah Macey show off Christmas bike decorations for this year’s bike tour on Saturday.

Sharon Tiffin/News

Christmas light ride promotes safetyKyle WellsNews staff

Two local technology companies are earning recognition after joining forces to create a new mobile phone app for a major local grocer.

Neil Tran of Leap Web Solutions, located in Saan-ich, and Curtis Duggan of Dactyl Studios, based in Bastion Square, came together to answer Thrifty Foods’ call for an interactive, user-friendly app designed by a local company.

The app, released this month, is for iPhones and Android devices. It allows users to peruse the lat-est flyers, create shopping lists, find recipes and check current promotions, among other features.

The creators say the project has led into other work for each. “Doing the Thrifty Foods app proved that we are able to handle large retail cli-ents and clients that have a high standard of qual-ity and integrity for their brand,” Duggan said.

“This was a really good opportunity and it has opened up other opportunities,” Tran said. “Because of experience, especially because of this, we’ve been able to acquire a new piece of busi-ness.”

They are also championing Thrifty Foods for going local for this project and hope other compa-nies follow suit.

“They’re so proud of being local,” Tran said. “I think that’s always been their mandate or messag-ing, keeping things local.”

[email protected]

Victoria tech firms team up for grocer

Saanich residents have an chance Monday to share their views on the municipality’s short- and long-term visions.

Council will discuss the 2014-18 Strategic Plan, which outlines a series of goals that aim to move Saanich forward in the coming years.

“(It’s important to) lay out how you get from here to there and how you measure yourself on that progress,” said Saanich Mayor Frank Leonard. “The whole concept makes us more accountable. Citizens can look at what you said you were going to do, and if, in fact, you’re doing it.”

The committee of the whole meeting is Dec. 16, 7:30 p.m., 770 Vernon Ave. To read the Strategic Plan, see saanich.ca/services/docs/strategic.html.

Last chance to weigh in on Saanich strategic plan

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Brother and sister Heather and Joe Cunliffe, operators of popular Pandora Avenue live food juice bar Café Bliss, have expanded their offerings in a new location.

Be Love has taken over half of a beautifully renovated space at 1019 Blanshard St. that formerly housed Alpine Market.

The cozy new café offers a wide variety of organic appys, main dishes and desserts in a comfortable environment. Visit beloverestaurant.ca.

Microsoft gaming studio pulling up stakes

Less than two years after setting up shop in Victoria, Microsoft announced it is closing its gaming studio here in 2014.

Siting the office here – it opened in Bastion Square and moved to a larger space at Wharf and Fort streets as staff was added and game development ramped up

– could be traced to Don Mattrick, the former EA Sports co-founder who became head of the company’s interactive entertainment division and lives part-time in the city.

Mattrick left Microsoft and became CEO of mobile game producer Zynga in July.

While a number of Victoria employees are expected to be transferred to a studio in Vancouver and some to Washington state, at least two dozen staffers will be forced to look for new employment.

In a statement, Microsoft said it still views Victoria as a source of top talent for the industry and will actively help staff who face layoffs to find jobs in other companies.

It also expects to “build upon our relationship with the University of Victoria as we seek to fill our future talent needs.”

The closure is expected to be finalized by next spring or summer.

On Sunday, franchisee Grant Reid unveiled serious upgrades to his McDonald’s Restaurant in the Royal Oak Shopping Centre. Renovations include new flat-screen televisions, leather chairs, modern lighting, contemporary artwork and updated washrooms, plus a redesigned barista bar for coffee and smoothie fans.

Who’s making waveson the business scene

Sports tourism booster SportHost Victoria named Harbour Digital Media owner John Juricic to replace Andrea Carey as chair of its board of directors. Juricic is a past-president of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce.

The City of Colwood has a new chief administrative officer. James Moller, city manager for Humboldt, Sask., starts in February and replaces Chris Pease, who came back in an interim role during the search.

Send your business news to [email protected].

Don DescoteauBiz Beat

Plenty of love behind Blanshard organic cafe

Facelift for McDonald’s in Royal Oak mall

CFB Esquimalt is once again cre-ating a winter wonderland for the public after a brief hiatus last year.

The Navy Holiday Village will see the drill shed and surrounding area at CFB Esquimalt’s Naden base transformed with decorated trees, lit-up naval vehicles and a model train designed to look like the naval dockyard.

Attendees can vote on the best and most “Charlie Brown” Christ-mas trees, and support the Esqui-malt Military Family Resource Cen-tre by purchasing a Naden Band CD

or hot chocolate.Adults will need photo ID to get

onto the base through the main gate, but the event is free.

The open house event runs Dec. 16 to 20 from 6 to 9 p.m. nightly. Monday’s kick-off ceremony starts at 4:45 p.m.

The holiday village event is the first of its kind at the base, and orga-nizers hope it becomes an annual tradition of its own.

For more information, visit face-book.com/EsquimaltBase

[email protected]

Navy light-up reborn as Holiday Village

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Brother and sister Heather and Joe Cunliffe, operators of popular Pandora Avenue live food juice bar Café Bliss, have expanded their offerings in a new location.

Be Love has taken over half of a beautifully renovated space at 1019 Blanshard St. that formerly housed Alpine Market.

The cozy new café offers a wide variety of organic appys, main dishes and desserts in a comfortable environment. Visit beloverestaurant.ca.

Microsoft gaming studio pulling up stakes

Less than two years after setting up shop in Victoria, Microsoft announced it is closing its gaming studio here in 2014.

Siting the office here – it opened in Bastion Square and moved to a larger space at Wharf and Fort streets as staff was added and game development ramped up

– could be traced to Don Mattrick, the former EA Sports co-founder who became head of the company’s interactive entertainment division and lives part-time in the city.

Mattrick left Microsoft and became CEO of mobile game producer Zynga in July.

While a number of Victoria employees are expected to be transferred to a studio in Vancouver and some to Washington state, at least two dozen staffers will be forced to look for new employment.

In a statement, Microsoft said it still views Victoria as a source of top talent for the industry and will actively help staff who face layoffs to find jobs in other companies.

It also expects to “build upon our relationship with the University of Victoria as we seek to fill our future talent needs.”

The closure is expected to be finalized by next spring or summer.

On Sunday, franchisee Grant Reid unveiled serious upgrades to his McDonald’s Restaurant in the Royal Oak Shopping Centre. Renovations include new flat-screen televisions, leather chairs, modern lighting, contemporary artwork and updated washrooms, plus a redesigned barista bar for coffee and smoothie fans.

Who’s making waveson the business scene

Sports tourism booster SportHost Victoria named Harbour Digital Media owner John Juricic to replace Andrea Carey as chair of its board of directors. Juricic is a past-president of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce.

The City of Colwood has a new chief administrative officer. James Moller, city manager for Humboldt, Sask., starts in February and replaces Chris Pease, who came back in an interim role during the search.

Send your business news to [email protected].

Don DescoteauBiz Beat

Plenty of love behind Blanshard organic cafe

Facelift for McDonald’s in Royal Oak mall

CFB Esquimalt is once again cre-ating a winter wonderland for the public after a brief hiatus last year.

The Navy Holiday Village will see the drill shed and surrounding area at CFB Esquimalt’s Naden base transformed with decorated trees, lit-up naval vehicles and a model train designed to look like the naval dockyard.

Attendees can vote on the best and most “Charlie Brown” Christ-mas trees, and support the Esqui-malt Military Family Resource Cen-tre by purchasing a Naden Band CD

or hot chocolate.Adults will need photo ID to get

onto the base through the main gate, but the event is free.

The open house event runs Dec. 16 to 20 from 6 to 9 p.m. nightly. Monday’s kick-off ceremony starts at 4:45 p.m.

The holiday village event is the first of its kind at the base, and orga-nizers hope it becomes an annual tradition of its own.

For more information, visit face-book.com/EsquimaltBase

[email protected]

Navy light-up reborn as Holiday Village

As the baby boom generation hits its senior years it might be the healthiest and � ttest group of seniors in history.

They’re so advanced they’re expected to have a longer lifespan than their kids, said Dr. Marilyn Malone.

Malone is Island Health’s medical director for seniors health and though she mostly sees patients with longterm illnesses, that’s not the norm.

“In B.C. and Vancouver Island the baby boomer and seniors are actually more � t and active than ever before, so if anything we’re ahead of the curve,” Malone said. “As a geriatrician I tend to see people that are complicated medically, and that’s not typical.”

While the average senior is in very good health and has a

measurable amount of � tness, Malone said it’s never too late for those with limited mobility to exercise, even if they haven’t for a long time.

“You tend to bene� t more from exercise when you’re older than when you’re younger and it doesn’t take as much exercise to make measurable gains. It turns out the fountain of youth is exercise, not a pill.”

Not only can seniors bene� t greatly from exercise as far as fall prevention and decreasing morbidity, there is also less chance of cognitive decline (dementia, for example), strokes, heart attacks as well as improved blood sugar control. It also combats mental health issues and depression.

Despite what one might think their body is telling them,

people can always exercise a little bit more.

“Everything in moderation,” Malone said. “You do what your body can do and don’t over extend or do something you’re not capable of.”

Prescribing exercise is a popular term in 2013 but not every senior has the ability to get to group activities, which are crucial for increasing motivation. One of the challenges is transportation and physicians try to assess the patient’s abilities and try to pick something they have access to.

“The key is to exercise at least three times a week.”

There are all kinds of programs available throughout Greater Victoria for those who

are moderately active. Island Health trumpets

its SAIL program (Strategies & Actions For Independent Living) for exercise and as important for fall prevention. There’s also a guide to senior activities and programs in the area, affectionately but unof� cially known as “the Blue Book,” available at every Island Health unit.

“If someone doesn’t have a

Saanich Senior

A little is a lot more for seniorsSeniors reap bene� ts from basic exercise and � tness■ TRAVIS PATERSON, NEWS STAFF

lot of stamina there are exercises a physiotherapist can show them,” Malone said.

The Blue Book is an 8.5-inch by 11-inch pamphlet. There are further resources in the seniors section of the Island Health website viha.ca and through the government’s toll free Physical Activity Line 1-877-725-1149. [email protected] ●

said. “You do what your

over extend or do something over extend or do something

Seniors reap bene� ts from basic exercise and � tnessSeniors reap bene� ts from basic exercise and � tnesstheBIGISSUE

A beer, a bear and a loaded gunHow politics have changed

When some politicians are given a choice between truth and � ction why do they always seem to favour the low road? I ask this because, like many of you, I am appalled by what passes for the truth in Ottawa these days.

I remember a kinder time when politicians’ � bs were less harmful and decidedly more entertaining.

Let me take you back more than three decades to the B.C. legislature where NDP MLA Al Passerall was gainfully employed by the voters of Bulkley Valley-Stikine.

Passerall was known as “Landslide Al” by virtue of his one-vote victory in 1979. He beat out long-time NDP MLA Frank Calder who had switched to Social Credit in 1975.

I � rst met Al in the early 1970s when he was a much larger than life bartender at the Hume Hotel in Nelson. He was a student at Notre Dame University. In his sober moments he was studying to become a teacher … gawd help the kids he would later instruct.

At the legislature on a slow Monday morning, a

■ BRIAN KIERANCOLUMNIST

coffee with Al was guaranteed great entertainment. On this particular morning, I found Al slumped at his desk in the NDP Caucus sporting a black eye of epic quality. He looked like he’d lost a head-on with a Mac truck.

Not even close, Al told me. That weekend the back country MLA had been hunting in his northern riding when a bear charged him as he was walking through a gully.

Now I’m all ears and taking notes.

As Al told it, he swung his ri� e around to take a life-saving shot and did not have time to seat the weapon properly to his shoulder. The recoil sent the mounted telescope smack into his right eye hence a shiner upon which legends were being constructed.

Never pausing for a moment to consider whether a bartender turned politician

lot of stamina there are exercises a physiotherapist can show

Swimming is a popular way to stay � t but any form of exercise, at least

three times a week, is important.JUPITER IMAGES

could be trusted to tell the truth, never pausing to ask what happened to the bear, I raced to the press gallery, slipped into a phone booth and � led my exclusive to the Vancouver Sun. As I knew it would, my short piece made front page of the � nal edition and my Press Gallery colleagues were forced to chase my scoop.

With a pack of reporters on his heels Al folded like a cheap camp stool and told the truth. There was no

bear. There was instead, I suspect, a case of beer and a back porch. To the amusement of the entire legislature, and particularly my media rivals, Al even rose in the House to bashfully apologize for his tall tale.

To this day, I clearly remember that my humiliation was complete. Still, I miss those bygone days when political � ction was less damning than it is today. ●

‘‘Never pausing for a moment to consider whether a bartender turned politician could be trusted to tell the truth, never pausing to ask what happened to the bear, I raced to the press gallery …”


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Saanich Senior

Making a differencein your community

If you know someone who is making adifference in your community, please email your

comments to [email protected]

Lorna CurtisAge 57Lorna Curtis has lived in the Gordon head area since 1978. After 31 years with the municipality of Oak Bay she ended her career as Director of Parks and Recreation in 2011. Since that time she has been ful� lling a lifelong dream of travelling around the world. 275,000 kilometres and 21 countries

later, she realizes how fortunate we are to live in Canada and how much we take for granted our social and economic wellbeing.

She is a Rotarian and is privileged to serve on the Oak Bay Kiwanis Pavilion Board. When not travelling or volunteering she loves to spend time in her garden or cooking for friends.

Humphrey Stephen BrownAge 76Humphrey Stephen Brown has lived in Saanich for 41 years. In that time he has had a number of interesting occupations and hobbies, from building a small foundry and playing golf to writing verse.

He and his wife recently celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary and

having retired in the 1990s are able to appreciate home, family, friends and the beauty of their chosen surroundings. His proudest achievement is to have survived the last 75 years including the second world war.

Q&AThe Senior Life

Recently retired from a successful and rewarding 50-year career as a certi� ed hearing instrument practitioner in private practice in Victoria, Louise Parton enjoys volunteering and over the years has served on the boards of professional, charitable, christian, community, city (Victoria & Saanich), provincial and international organizations. In recognition of volunteer service Louise has received many awards including the Queen Elizabeth Golden Jubilee award for Community Service in 2002. She and her husband John have lived in Cordova Bay since 1970 and are active members of Cordova Bay 55+ Association.

Q What is your favourite Saanich destination or activity? Why?

A I love Sayward beach in Cordova Bay, it is a fantastic place to be.

Q What words of wisdom have you strived to follow from your parents?

A Follow your dreams, and never give up.

Q What’s at the top of your bucket list?

A After our 50th wedding anniversary celebration in August 2014, a family vacation in Qualicum with our daughters and families from England and Calgary.

Q What is your proudest achievement?

A My family: two daughters, two son-in-laws and three grandchildren, my husband and 92-year-old mother. Also a lifetime career of helping individuals with their hearing health care needs and the satisfaction of being able to be part of the volunteer community of Victoria.

Q What are you reading right now?

A Outliers (Malcolm Gladwell), The Glass Castle (Jeannette Walls) and Kaleidoscope (Patsy Clairmont).

Q&A


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Bach For the love of

David Barss works as a charter investment manager and while he loves his job, the former studio musician sometimes dabbles in his original passion on the side: music.

Barss is a co-founder of the Victoria Bach Ensemble, now celebrating its 10th year. Barss and the ensemble, which has seen a steady change of performers each year, are gearing up the annual Bach at Christmas show, a fundraiser for the Church of St. John the Divine’s music program. But in another lifetime, Barss worked with a number of multi-platinum, Grammy-winners. Some of those include musician and producer Daniel Lanois, who produced albums for Bob Dylan and U2; musician and producer Brian Enos who played in the 1970s glam-rock band Roxy Music; and American blues musician, John Lee Hooker. However, he found being a studio musician wasn’t a fulfilling career.

“There is a big difference between doing music because I have to or playing the type of music I love playing,” Barss said, adding he has no regrets with his career change. “It’s truly a blessing to be in a position where I can do that.”

Learning how to play musical instruments came easily to Barss, who picked up the violin when he was only three. Besides playing classical music, he’s also known to stop by Hermann’s Jazz Club, with either a trumpet or guitar. Moonlighting aside, Bach’s classics remain his passion.

“His music is timeless,” Barss said. “The energy, the musical changes, the chord changes, the sequence, and the bass line (it’s all) amazing.

“The bass progression is like nothing else.”The Victoria Bach Ensemble’s nine musicians

and one soprano will perform Cantata No. 51 Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen, Double violin con-certo in D minor; Keyboard concerto in A major; Trio sonata in A minor, and Chorale from Cantata No. 140.

Barss, along with co-founder and music director Michael Drislane, invite high calibre musicians to perform with them each year and note the qual-ity of their work is not accurately reflected in the ticket price ($15, $10 for students and seniors).

“We wanted to make it accessible for all income groups,” Barss said. “This is a really good value for a concert at this level, modesty aside.”

Last year, 350 tickets were sold and the venue became standing-room only.

The performers this year include: Eve Daniell, soprano; Blythe Allers; Sharon Stanis and Hannah Burton each playing violin, Ceilidh Briscoe playing viola, Alasdair Money on cello; Drislane on piano and Barss on trumpet.

“Michael (Drislane) is fantastic. He looks and plays like Glenn Gould,” Barss said. “Sharon Stanis is a co-founder of the Lafayette String Quartet and is an artist-in-residence at

UVic. She was a concertmaster at the Victoria symphony.”Barss added the enthusiasm he and Drislane have in putting

on the annual show has not changed. Knowing the all money raised is going to a good cause and having a packed house of attendees every year, gives them the drive to continue this event.

The ensemble performs on Saturday, Dec. 21 at 7:30pm at the Church of St. John the Divine (1611 Quadra). Tickets at the door.

CHRISTOpHER [email protected]

SUppLIED pHOTO Founders of The Victoria Bach Ensemble, Michael Drislane (left) and David Barss play Bach at Christmas with their nine-piece group Dec. 21 to support St. John the Divine’s music program.

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Ballet Victoria’s gift this holiday season: a reimagined ver-sion of the Pandora’s Box myth, featuring

music from The Nutcracker and the Victoria Symphony. The Gift comes to the Royal Theatre Dec. 28 - 29.

The Gift tells the story of young Pandora and her family as they gather on Christmas Eve. When a world-traveling uncle brings an exotic trunk and warns Pandora not to open it, the temptation proves too much and a wild ride ensues. Expect a dance-through-the-ages segment featuring the likes of Lady Gaga – with symphony pianists – as Pandora tames the cast of characters.

The is the second year Ballet Victoria will bring The

Gift to the stage. “I knew that I wanted to

do a unique Christmas story,” said the company’s artistic director, Paul Destrooper. “Many people love the tradi-tion of The Nutcracker, so I began thinking of ways to play with the original story and modernize it a bit. I liked the idea of bringing it into this century with different ethnic groups and alluding to popu-lar music segments and dance moves. By introducing differ-ent cultures in the story, it is like Pandora and the audience travel virtually.”

The show is here for two performances only: Saturday at 7:30pm and Sunday at 2pm. Tickets, from $15 for children 12 and under, are available at balletvictoria.com or rmts.bc.ca.

Ballet Victoria’s holiday Gift, NOTcrackerIt used to be that when Matthew McConaughey doffed

his shirt in a movie it was merely to show off his buff body (and well-muscled ego). But after losing 40 pounds to play ‘80s-era AIDS activist Ron Woodroof, McConaughey is showing something else besides skin and bone: a fierce commitment to serious acting, one that began a couple of years ago and has resulted in several compelling perfor-mances. And none is edgier than this one in Dallas Buyers Club, where he persuades us that a homophobic redneck Texas cowboy can evolve into a compassionate and open-minded human being – and a damn good shit disturber, too.

At the beginning of Club, the hard-partying Woodroof discovers he has full-blown AIDS and maybe a month to live (he likely got the disease from a drug-addicted prosti-tute). Initially in denial, Woodroof goes in search of black-market AZT, the experimental anti-AIDS drug that is only available in clinical trials. Before long, Woodroof becomes an expert in many vitamins, minerals, and experimental drugs – all of which are banned in the U.S. Showing an unexpected entrepreneurial side, he starts smuggling these life-giving meds into the States under the auspices of his “Dallas Buyers Club” ($400 in monthly dues gives mem-bers access to “free” drugs, meaning that he isn’t techni-cally selling the drugs and breaking the law). Woodroof becomes an unlikely hero to a mostly gay clientele … and a villain to the FDA, who is eager to shut him down, large-ly because he’s an annoyance to the large pharmaceutical companies lining up to profit from the burgeoning AIDS epidemic.

What could have been a preachy film is instead engross-ing and touching. Club also benefits from a dark wit and an absence of sentimentality. It’s McConaughey’s show all the way, supported by excellent performances by Jared Leto as the flamboyant homosexual who befriends Woodroof, and Dennis O’Hare as the vile doctor more interested in protecting his AZT research funding than helping his dying patients. Oscar will like this one.

Rating: ★★★1/2(Hunger Games: Catching Fire continues at the Odeon,

SilverCity, Landmark Cinema 4 and Westshore; Dallas Buyers Club continues at the Odeon).

Redneck with a heart of gold

SUPPLIED PHOTO Ballet Victoria blends the tale of Pandora’s Box with the sounds of The Nutcracker in The Gift.

An apocalyptic Kitt & Jane Christmas special

ROBERT [email protected]

Self-proclaimed weirdos/possible geniuses, and un-refutable fan favou-rites behind Kitt & Jane: An Interactive Survival Guide to the Near-Post-Apocalyptic Future just won the fringe lottery and they’re throwing a holiday party Dec. 16 and 17 to make all their post-apoc-alyptic summer tour plans come true.

Kathleen Greenfield, Ingrid Hansen, and Rod

Peter Jr. of SNAFU Dance Theatre will take their show, which opened up Phoenix Theatre’s season earlier this year, from Victoria to Montreal and back again, with dates in Ottawa, Toronto, Winnipeg, Calgary and Edmonton in between.

The crew invites Victorians to eat cake, watch the show, ponder their existence and help raise some cash to buy

a dirty old van to drive across the continent.

The Christmas special is set six months after 14-year-old social rejects Kitt Pedersen (Hansen) and Jane Jameson (Peter Jr.) hijack their school assembly and escape their own deaths, when the duo returns to host their school’s annual Holiday Fair. The evening features all-new Kitt & Jane songs on ukulele and glocken-

spiel, and special guests, as well as prizes, swag for sale, and a Christmas card craft station hosted by Mrs. Grace’s senior art class. The show starts at 8pm at Intrepid Theatre Club, 1609 Blanshard. Tickets are $15 gener-al/$30 generous via ticket-rocket.org/250-590-6291.

For a review of the show mounted earlier this fall at Phoenix, visit mon-daymag.com.

GVPL’S EMILY CARR BRANCH IS MOVING• Last day at current location is December 15, 2013.

• First day at new Uptown location is January 6, 2014.

• Our new address will be #101-3521 Blanshard St. on the upper level next to Scotiabank.

For more information on library service, holds and returns during the move go to gvpl.ca or call 250-382-7241.


Give the gift of travel!Buy your passes and tickets at the following locations:

www.bctransit.com

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Colwood88 Mini MartCanex Express Mart Colwood Corners Drycleaners 7-Eleven Colwood Corona FoodsPetro Canada Island HwyLondon Drugs

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Craigflower & TillicumGorge Vale Esso Gorge Vale Petro Can Craigflower Foods

Douglas & HillsidePetro Canada Douglas Winks Convenience Store

Downtown7-Eleven Douglas 7-Eleven Yates 7-Eleven Government 7-Eleven Bay7-Eleven The Falls

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Oak BayCasey’s Market Estevan PharmacyMunicipality of Oak Bay Pharmasave Oak Bay Shopper’s Drug Mart

Royal Oak DistrictCountry Grocer Petro Canada Elk Lake Petro Canada Royal Oak Pharmasave Broadmead Pure Pharmacy Shoppers Drug MartThrifty Foods

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Sidney7-Eleven Beacon Pharmasave Seventh Street BC Ferries Gift Shop - on vessels Thrifty Foods

SookePeoples Drug Mart Shoppers Drug Mart Village Food Market

Tillicum Mall7-Eleven Burnside AM to PM Store London Drugs

Uptown Area7-Eleven Carey Central EssoUptown Guest Services Save On Foods Shoppers Drug Mart

UniversityCamosun College Campus Medicine Centre Mount Tolmie Market Place People’s Drug Mart

Vic WestOceanic Market

View RoyalFort Victoria RV Park Thrifty Foods, AdmiralsVGH Parking Office

Wilkinson/Interurban AreaMac’s Store

Adult

10 tickets

$22.50!

Victoria Regional Transit Commission

3264

3264_BCT_Vendor_VIC_12x10.3125_PNRNews Group12” x 10.3125”

Insertion Date: December , 2013

Created by: Megan Roberts, BC Transit

Updated Rider’s Guide effective December 30.

When Maia Green found a $10 bill on the street, her first thought was to give it to someone in need.

“It was a spontaneous thing,” she says. “I thought it would be cool to give it to one person, but then I wondered what would hap-pen if it multiplied.”

Having heard of the new Spon-

sor A Breakfast program at Our Place through a friend, Green posted a challenge on her Face-book page. To start it off, she dou-bled the $10 by adding her own donation.

“My friends responded instantly,” she says. “Within hours we had raised over $200, and

within six days we turned $10 into $450.”

That $450 will provide a special hot breakfast of scrambled eggs, ham, potatoes and coffee to more than 300 of Greater Victoria’s most vulnerable citizens.

Green and her friends will be serving up their special breakfast at Our Place on Monday (Dec. 16) from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m.

Maia Green has turned $10 into gold for the city’s homeless.

Photo submitted

The magical multiplying $10 bill

Found note a bounty for the homeless


AND

invite you to view the latest in all things photography & video at our relaunch event on Sat Dec 14th at VICTORIA

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Today’s dream becomes tomorrow’s memories

Local news.Local shopping.Your local paper.Read the Saanich News

Bestwick firing put coach in tough spot Travis PatersonNews staff

It’s not how Craig Didmon pic-tured becoming the head coach of the Victoria Grizzlies but he’ll take it.

Didmon debuted as the Griz-zlies bench boss in an emotional win on Tuesday, 4-2 over the Nanaimo Clippers at Bear Moun-tain Arena. Defenceman Brandon Egli spurred the Grizzlies to the come-from-behind victory with a Gordie Howe hat trick, scoring his team’s first goal in the second period before dropping the gloves with Nanaimo’s 6-foot-2 Clarkson-commit Devin Brousseau. Egli then assisted on Dante Hahn’s game winner in the third.

It all came within hours of the news that head coach and general manager Bill Bestwick was being relieved by the Grizzlies’ new majority ownership group which took over on Monday.

“The boys found out about (Bestwick’s firing) on the way to the rink Tuesday so there was an initial distraction, but also an understanding of what had hap-pened,” Didmon said.

It was a whirlwind 24 hours for everybody, particularly Didmon.

A former player under Bestwick, Didmon sees him as a friend and mentor, as Didmon has been Best-wick’s assistant coach/GM for the past one and a half seasons.

“I loved working with (Bestwick) so the situation is tough, however, it’s a quick and easy switch,” Did-mon said.

“It wasn’t until Tuesday morn-ing when I thought something might be happening. I talked to (Bestwick) and he was concerned but I really didn’t believe it until I got a text about from someone who saw it in social media.”

Didmon moves into the driver’s seat with the Grizzlies second overall in the B.C. Hockey League with 20 wins in 33 games for 45 points, three points back of the Powell River Kings.

He was first made aware of the

possibility, however minute, that Bestwick could be on the bubble at Monday’s press conference to introduce the quintet of new co-owners, led by Pete Zubersky.

The decision to axe Bestwick is believed to stem from past differ-ences between him and Zubersky. The latter has assumed the role of director of operations, which includes the general manager posi-tion he previously held for three

and a half seasons dur-ing the organization’s time as the Victoria Salsa. Back then Best-wick was with the Clip-pers and their disputes were public. However, Zubersky says it’s not what led to this week’s decision.

“Hockey is an emo-tional game for emo-tional people,” Zuber-sky said. “There’s a

winner and a loser and you’re always going to have friction. On the ice two players can drop the gloves and go toe-to-toe and the next night they’re at home having Thanksgiving dinner and they’re brothers.

“Any differences I had with (Bestwick), I can’t really think of any, but it had nothing to do with this.”

Rather, Zuberksy points to the promotion of Didmon, someone the team wants to put its faith in as he is deeply rooted in the West Shore community. Didmon remains the head coach of the Belmont secondary and Spencer

middle school hockey academies. “With (Didmon) we have a guy

deeply entrenched in the local community and Westshore and we think we have a real opportu-nity with him to get more involved with the community out here,” Zubersky said.

“What we really want to do is put the Bill Bestwick thing to bed and talk about the positives, because there are a lot of them.”

Zubersky is also the owner of the Peninsula Panthers which tightens the connection between the Grizzlies and the South Island junior B teams even more as for-mer Victoria Cougars, Saanich Braves, Westshore Wolves and Panthers have all started for the Grizz in 2013.

[email protected]

SPORTSGrizz quickly reshape under new owners

Charla Huber/News staff

Victoria Grizzlies ownership multiplied from two to seven on Monday as John Wilson, left, Don Robinson, Reza Binab, Pete Zubersky and Kirby Yeats (missing) signed as co-owners. They join co-owner Ron Walchuk who broke up his majority share.

File photos

Grizz coach Craig Didmon, above,

was mentored by the outgoing Bill

Bestwick.

Grizzlies game day Dec. 13: Powell River Kings

at Victoria Grizzlies, 7:15 p.m., Bear Mountain Arena.

Dec. 15: Penticton Vees at Grizzlies, 2 p.m.

Summer magicBill Bestwick’s revamping

of the Grizzlies in the summer of 2012 will go down as leg-endary. He retooled the ros-ter, which had been depleted under Len Barrie’s watch, and nearly finished first over-all in the BCHL. Led by the Fitzgerald triplets, the core continues to carry the Griz-zlies, currently second overall.

Ready for itDidmon was originally

passed over for the Grizz’s head coaching job in 2009, left vacant by Geoff Courtnall. He has since coached with the Victoria Royals WHL and South Island Thunderbirds major midget clubs.

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Bestwick firing put coach in tough spot Travis PatersonNews staff

It’s not how Craig Didmon pic-tured becoming the head coach of the Victoria Grizzlies but he’ll take it.

Didmon debuted as the Griz-zlies bench boss in an emotional win on Tuesday, 4-2 over the Nanaimo Clippers at Bear Moun-tain Arena. Defenceman Brandon Egli spurred the Grizzlies to the come-from-behind victory with a Gordie Howe hat trick, scoring his team’s first goal in the second period before dropping the gloves with Nanaimo’s 6-foot-2 Clarkson-commit Devin Brousseau. Egli then assisted on Dante Hahn’s game winner in the third.

It all came within hours of the news that head coach and general manager Bill Bestwick was being relieved by the Grizzlies’ new majority ownership group which took over on Monday.

“The boys found out about (Bestwick’s firing) on the way to the rink Tuesday so there was an initial distraction, but also an understanding of what had hap-pened,” Didmon said.

It was a whirlwind 24 hours for everybody, particularly Didmon.

A former player under Bestwick, Didmon sees him as a friend and mentor, as Didmon has been Best-wick’s assistant coach/GM for the past one and a half seasons.

“I loved working with (Bestwick) so the situation is tough, however, it’s a quick and easy switch,” Did-mon said.

“It wasn’t until Tuesday morn-ing when I thought something might be happening. I talked to (Bestwick) and he was concerned but I really didn’t believe it until I got a text about from someone who saw it in social media.”

Didmon moves into the driver’s seat with the Grizzlies second overall in the B.C. Hockey League with 20 wins in 33 games for 45 points, three points back of the Powell River Kings.

He was first made aware of the

possibility, however minute, that Bestwick could be on the bubble at Monday’s press conference to introduce the quintet of new co-owners, led by Pete Zubersky.

The decision to axe Bestwick is believed to stem from past differ-ences between him and Zubersky. The latter has assumed the role of director of operations, which includes the general manager posi-tion he previously held for three

and a half seasons dur-ing the organization’s time as the Victoria Salsa. Back then Best-wick was with the Clip-pers and their disputes were public. However, Zubersky says it’s not what led to this week’s decision.

“Hockey is an emo-tional game for emo-tional people,” Zuber-sky said. “There’s a

winner and a loser and you’re always going to have friction. On the ice two players can drop the gloves and go toe-to-toe and the next night they’re at home having Thanksgiving dinner and they’re brothers.

“Any differences I had with (Bestwick), I can’t really think of any, but it had nothing to do with this.”

Rather, Zuberksy points to the promotion of Didmon, someone the team wants to put its faith in as he is deeply rooted in the West Shore community. Didmon remains the head coach of the Belmont secondary and Spencer

middle school hockey academies. “With (Didmon) we have a guy

deeply entrenched in the local community and Westshore and we think we have a real opportu-nity with him to get more involved with the community out here,” Zubersky said.

“What we really want to do is put the Bill Bestwick thing to bed and talk about the positives, because there are a lot of them.”

Zubersky is also the owner of the Peninsula Panthers which tightens the connection between the Grizzlies and the South Island junior B teams even more as for-mer Victoria Cougars, Saanich Braves, Westshore Wolves and Panthers have all started for the Grizz in 2013.

[email protected]

SPORTSGrizz quickly reshape under new owners

Charla Huber/News staff

Victoria Grizzlies ownership multiplied from two to seven on Monday as John Wilson, left, Don Robinson, Reza Binab, Pete Zubersky and Kirby Yeats (missing) signed as co-owners. They join co-owner Ron Walchuk who broke up his majority share.

File photos

Grizz coach Craig Didmon, above,

was mentored by the outgoing Bill

Bestwick.

Grizzlies game day Dec. 13: Powell River Kings

at Victoria Grizzlies, 7:15 p.m., Bear Mountain Arena.

Dec. 15: Penticton Vees at Grizzlies, 2 p.m.

Summer magicBill Bestwick’s revamping

of the Grizzlies in the summer of 2012 will go down as leg-endary. He retooled the ros-ter, which had been depleted under Len Barrie’s watch, and nearly finished first over-all in the BCHL. Led by the Fitzgerald triplets, the core continues to carry the Griz-zlies, currently second overall.

Ready for itDidmon was originally

passed over for the Grizz’s head coaching job in 2009, left vacant by Geoff Courtnall. He has since coached with the Victoria Royals WHL and South Island Thunderbirds major midget clubs.

Appliances

Soccer

Fri. Dec. 13: VISL Div. 1, Nanaimo Utd. at Gorge FC, 8 p.m. Hampton Park.

Fri. Dec. 13: VISL Div. 1, Cowichan at Saanich Fusion, 8 p.m. Tyndall Turf.

Sat. Dec. 14: VISL Div. 1, Lakehill Reds at Prospect Lake Lakers, 7 p.m., Prospect Lake field.

Sun. Dec. 15: VISL Div. 1, Castaways at Vic West, 2 p.m., Finlayson Turf.

Hockey

Fri. Dec. 13: BCHL, Powell River Kings at Victoria Grizzlies, 7 p.m., Bear Mountain Arena.

Fri. Dec. 13: VIJHL, Victoria Cougars at Saanich Braves, 6:30 p.m., Pearkes arena.

Fri. Dec. 13: VIJHL, Keryry Park Islanders at Peninsula Panthers, 7:30 p.m., Panorama Rec Ctr.

Sun. Dec. 15: BCHL, Penticton Vees at Victoria Grizzlies, 2 p.m., Bear Mountain Arena.

Sun. Dec. 15: VIJHL, Westshore Wolves at Victoria Cougars, 3:30 p.m., Archie Browning Sports Ctr.

Wed. Dec. 18: VIJHL, Saanich Braves at Westshore Wolves, 7 p.m., Bear Mountain Arena.

Basketball

Tues. Dec. 17: High school senior, AAA girls Claremont Spartans at Stelly’s Stingers, 5:45 p.m.; Div. 2B boys Vic High Titans at Stelly’s Stingers, 7:30 p.m.; AAA girls & boys Belmont Bulldogs at Spectrum Thunder, 5:45 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.; Div. 2 girls, Vic High Titans at St. Andrew’s Sabres, 5:45 p.m.; Div. 2 boys Pacific Christian Pacers at St. Andrew’s Sabres, 7:30 p.m.; AA girls and boys Esquimalt Dockers at Edward Milne, 5:45 & 7:30 p.m.; AAA girls Oak Bay Breakers at Reynolds Roadrunners, 5:45 p.m.; Div. 2 boys St. Michaels Blue Jaguars at Reynolds Roadrunners, 7:30 p.m.

SPORTS CALENDAR

Claremont Spartan Marshal King, left, carries

the ball past an Issaquah

defender in the U-18

championship game of the

Space Needle Shootout lacrosse

tournament in Tukwila, Wash. on Sunday. The

Spartans won the final 10-4.

Photo by Michael Jardine

SPORTSNEWS IN BRIEFSpartans top Space Needle

The Claremont Spartans academy senior lacrosse team won the U-18 divi-sion title of the 10th annual Space Needle Shootout on Sunday in Tukwila, Wash.

Spartan McLean Chicquen, a Stony Brook commit, and Eddie Smith, paced the team’s offence past Issaquah 10-4 in the U18 final.

Chicquen, a senior midfielder, contrib-uted three goals and an assist while Smith, a junior attackman, had two goals and two assists.

“It was a great game,” said Clare-mont coach Daren Reisig. “Issaquah competed hard, but we were just better today.”

Than tourney drew more than 1,400 youth, middle and high school-aged lacrosse players from Washington, Oregon, Idaho and B.C.

Jags, Lions rank among AA teams

The St. Michaels Blue Jags edged the Lambrick Park Lions 56-53 in senior boys high school basket-ball play on Tuesday. Both squads are AA but are playing in the city’s newly created Div. 1 schedule.

Blue Jag Danny Wu led all scorers from the game with 16 points while team-mates Graeme Hyde Lay and Matt Rud each scored 11.

Lions guard Ismail Abdulahi scored 12 and 6-foot-6 forward Jacob Barnard potted

11. The Lions were without proimsing 6-foot-10 forward Matt Neufeld.

Royals on interior swing

The Victoria Royals continues its Western Hockey League road trip through Alberta in Medicine Hat on Sat-urday.

Tuesday saw the Royals fall to the Van-couver Giants, 3-2 in Vancouver.

The Giants took a two-goal lead in the first period, includ-ing a goal by former Royal Trent Loft-house. Ben Walker scored twice for the Royals but his team was unable to close the gap, and were out-shot 33 to 16.

Coleman Vollrath earned the loss in net.

A16 • www.vicnews.com Friday, December 13, 2013 - SAANICH NEWSA16 www.saanichnews.com Fri, Dec 13, 2013, Saanich News

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EDUCATION/TRADE SCHOOLSEDUCATION/TRADE SCHOOLS

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

CARDS OF THANKS

GRATEFUL THANKSfrom Greater Victoria Retired Municipal Police Offi cers Association to Cedar Wood Inn, Sidney Waterfront Suites, Peninsula Coop Gas Bars and all others for assisting in making your annual Food Bank Drive a success.

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LEGALS

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

INFORMATION

DID YOU KNOW? BBB is a not-for-profi t organization com-mitted to building relationships of trust in the marketplace. Look for the 2013 BBB Ac-credited Business Directory E-edition on your Black Press Community Newspaper web-site at

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CHECK CLASSIFIEDS! 250.388.3535 or bcclassifi ed.com✔

HELP WANTED

BUSY CONSTRUCTION Co. in Trail, B.C. is searching for an experienced Accounting clerk/ bookkeeper. Candidate is expected to be a self-starter and to be able to work inde-pendently in a fast-paced envi-ronment. Knowledge of Conac Pivot System is an asset and the ability to take on multiple roles is looked at positively. Main responsibilities include: Accounts Payable - invoice transactions for goods re-ceived and prepare cheques when due; Payroll - collect payroll data daily and convert into daily tracking sheets, sub-mittals and weekly payroll run.

Please send resume to: [email protected]

or call (250)364-1541 for further details.

GENERAL LABOURERSOIL & GAS INDUSTRY

GUARANTEED Job Placement

• Labourers • Tradesmen• Class 1 Drivers

Call 24Hr. Free Recorded Message 1-888-213-2854

LM JONES Holdings Inc. DBA Tim Horton’s. Food service su-pervisor. Permanent, F/T, P/T, shift work, overnight, days, wknds and eve’s. 1-2 years experience. Starts ASAP, 4 positions. No education req’d. 2 locations; 3749 Shelbourne St and 2343 Beacon Ave, Sid-ney. Wage: $10.25 - $12.12/ hour. Email: th102057@ telus.net or in person at the lo-cations.

THE LEMARE GROUP is accepting resumes for the following positions:•Heavy Duty Mechanics•Feller Buncher•Boom man•Chasers•Hooktenders•Grapple Yarder Operators•Off Highway Logging Truck Drivers•Hydraulic Log Loader Opera-tors•Processor Operators•Hand Buckers•Coastal Certifi ed Hand FallersFulltime camp with union rates/benefi ts.Please send resumes by fax to 250-956-4888 or email to offi [email protected].


SALES

COSMETIC SALES PERSON for Outdoor Cart at Up Town Mall, shift work, $12/hr. Apply to [email protected]

TRADES, TECHNICAL

HD MECHANIC. Noble Tractor & Equip. is seeking a Journeyman or 4th year apprentice Service Techni-cian for our Armstrong location. A self-starter with Ag tech background is desired. Interested candidates send resume to: [email protected], or mail: Noble Tractor & Equip, 4193 Noble Rd, Armstrong, BC V0E 1B4, fax: 250-546-3165

VOLUNTEERS

CANADIAN DIABETES Asso-ciation is looking for corporate ambassadors to increase the engagement of businesses and organizations in advanc-ing the quality of life for people affected by diabetes. Other positions available. Call Volun-teer Victoria at 250-386-2269.

CANADIAN MENTAL Health Association seeks a qualifi ed board treasurer to review fi -nancial statements and trans-actions as well as liaise with the accounting administrator. Call Volunteer Victoria at 250-386-2269.

VICTORIA HOSPICE starts training in January for non-judgmental In-Patient Unit vol-unteers for physically demand-ing and varied tasks relating to patient care. Call Volunteer Victoria at 250-386-2269.

PERSONAL SERVICES

MIND BODY & SPIRIT

Kripalu full body massage. Release your stress now. Over 13 years experience. Gift Cer-tifi cates. Women only. Holiday special. Professional. 250-514 -6223, www.andreakober.com

Natural Instincts Massage: An Intuitive, Nurturing Escape. 1st appt. promo 250-519-1018

PERSONAL SERVICES

MIND BODY & SPIRIT

The Trager Approachis an Innovative, Gentle and Therapeutic Bodywork that Reduces Pain & Tension

and supportsBalance and Presence in

a Relaxed Body.Rae Bilash

Certifi ed Trager Practitionercall for appointment

250-380-8733www.raebilash.ca

* Also Hot Stone Massage

FINANCIAL SERVICES

GET BACK ON TRACK! Bad credit? Bills? Unemployed? Need Money? We Lend! If you own your own home - you qualify. Pioneer Acceptance Corp. Member BBB.

1-877-987-1420 www.pioneerwest.com

PHOTOGRAPHY/VIDEO

RETOUCH, RESTORE, Edit Photos. Home Movies to DVD. Also, Portraiture, Baby, Family + Maternity. 250-475-3332. www.cwpics.com

PETS

PET CARE SERVICES

ROVER’S PET Hotel- Over-night’s, Day’s. Loving care in our home. (250)885-1675.

MERCHANDISE FOR SALE

BURIAL PLOTS

2 ADULT interment spaces at Hatley Memorial Gardens. Lots 215 & 216 in Colwood G.$4900. 1(520)825-1773.

FREE ITEMS

FREE. 14” BAND saw with 3blades. Needs minor work.Call Bill (250)652-7720.

FREE JELLY and pickle jars.Clean, labels off. Call 778-430-4302.

FRIENDLY FRANK

2 PAIRS beaded mocca-sins/shoes, $40/each. Call (778)265-1615.

FUEL/FIREWOOD

ARBUTUS, CYPRESS, fi r,hardwoods. Seasoned. Call250-661-7391.

GREAT DEAL FIREWOOD. Winter Special. Split & Deliv-ered. Call 250-881-4842.

MEDICAL SUPPLIES

2011 PEGASUS 4W Scooter.Excellent condition. $1900. Ask for Warren, 250-208-4392.

MISCELLANEOUS FOR SALE

APARTMENT SIZED Inglis washer & dryer, hardly used,$50/each. (250)592-1690.

DOLL HOUSE (Pierce 8011 model, 30”x36”), very large,furnished inside and out, $400.Well stocked country store,$300. Can sell separate. Call(250)592-1690.

PENTAX CAMERA with 3 lenses and fl ash, good cond. 4Michelin 17” snow tires, used2 seasons. (250)479-5208.


250.388.3535

fax 250.388-0202 email [email protected]

Your community. Your classifieds.

SOOKENEWSMIRROR

$2997plus tax

SELL YOUR STUFF!Private Party Merchandise Ad1" PHOTO + 5 LINES (99¢ extra lines) Runs till it sells, up to 8 weeks!

Choose any:Black Press Community Newspapers!

Add any other Greater Victoria paper for only $9.99 each +tax

3BONUS!We will upload your ad to

Ask us for more info.FREE!

WE’RE ON THE WEB

SAANICH NEWS - Friday, December 13, 2013 www.vicnews.com • A17Saanich News Fri, Dec 13, 2013 www.saanichnews.com A17 MERCHANDISE FOR SALE

MISCELLANEOUS FOR SALE

FIGURINES: ROYAL Doulton, Coalport, Armani, Mrs. Albee, & misc artists - some very old, some more recent editions. Call (250)474-2774.

HOT TUB (SPA) COVERS. Best price. Best quality. All shapes & colours available. 1-866-652-6837 www.thecoverguy.com/newspaper?

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

WASHER/DRYER Frigidaire white, 8 cycle HD, $550. (778)351-3349.

MISCELLANEOUS WANTED

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

MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS

STEINWAY- BOSTON Studio Grand, model 178, ebony, 6 years, immaculate, references. Home studio professional quality. Custom cover includ-ed. $15,000. Serious enquiries only please (250)594-5072.

REAL ESTATE

APARTMENT/CONDOS

NANAIMO WATERFRONT 2nd fl oor condo. 1500 sq.ft. LR/DR/2bdrms with view, den, gas FP, secure bldg. 2 under-ground parking spaces. Main-tenance fee includes hot wa-ter/gas/landscaping. 1 pet OK. $339,900 (250)753-9123

SELL IT FAST WITH CLASSIFIEDS!

250.388.3535

REAL ESTATE

DUPLEX/4-PLEX

OPEN HOUSE- Sat & Sun, every weekend, 1-4pm. New Duplex’s For Sale, Duncan, BC at 5909 & 5911 Stone Haven Rd, in Stone Manor Es-tate’s (behind Hospital). 1850sq ft each, 3 bdrms, 4 bath, 5 appls and much more. $309,000. Call Gord (250)710-1947

FOR SALE BY OWNER

SAANICH WEST- 1246 Has-tings St, 3 bdrm Rancher, 2 garage, dining/living/family rooms, 2 bath (ensuite), F/P, appls incld, new roof. Walking distance to Interurban cam-pus. Reduced price, $460,000. Call 250-477-4600.

SIDNEY- 2444 Amherst Ave. 1300 sq.ft. updated character home looking for a family w/2 children and a dog. Fenced south facing corner lot near the Salish Sea. Walk to town and schools. Organic gardens & fruit trees, fi replace, hot tub, 6 appls. Free TV forever.... New price- $484,000. (250)656-6136.

SIDNEY 9805 2nd St- lrg south facing 1 bdrm apt. Ocean view, lrg full length bal-cony, in-suite laundry, guest suites, underground parking pet free, secure concrete building w/monitored entrance. No rental restriction, low con-do fees. (778)426-0007. Ex-cellent investment [email protected]

REAL ESTATE

MOBILE HOMES & PARKS

OTTER POINT RV Trailer Park. 40’ park model trailer (no pad fees) 3 slide outs + 30’x52’ lot, fi nished deck & shed in new cond. Reduced to $117,900. obo. Owner willing to look at fi nancing. Call (306)290-8764.

RENTALS

APARTMENT/CONDO

1 & 2 Bdrm suites & cabins. Perched on a cliffside with panoramic ocean vista, over-looking The Saanich Inlet. Se-rene & secure. All amenities on-site, fi rewood. $500-$1200 inclds utils. Monthly/Weekly. Pets ok with refs. 25 min com-mute to downtown Victoria. Must have references! Call 250-478-9231.

GORGE- 1 bdrm condo, laun-dry on site, NS/NP. $750. Avail now. (250)882-2330.

UNDER NEWMANAGEMENT

Bright lg Bach 1,2,3 br. UnitsFully reno

5 min drive to DT Victoria Full time on site manager

Move in today250-588-9799

DUPLEXES/4PLEXES

MAPLEWOOD- Lrg 1 bdrm suite beside main house, own entry, parking, shared W/D. NS/NP. $975 inclds utils. Avail Dec 1. Call 250-592-4288.

RENTALS

HOMES FOR RENT

4-BDRM HOUSE, near Com-monwealth Pool. N/S, N/P. $1900 + utils. (250)920-6282

SUITES, LOWER

AIRPORT: 1 bdrm bachelor new windows, curtains, fl oor-ing, paint. Private door, yard. Parking. $820/mo all util’s incld’d. NS/NP, Jan. 1. Call (250)656-9910.

HARRIET/UPTOWN- fully fur-nished 3 bdrm, reno’d, 4 appls, bus route, NS/NP. $1500 in-clusive. W/D. 250-480-0849.

MARIGOLD- the coziest 1 bdrm, W/S, shared W/D, quiet. NS/NP. $850. 250-727-6217.

NORTH NANAIMO: Attention Students/Working Profession-als: semi-furn private suite. New fl oors & paint. Shared lndry. FREE hydro & cable. N/S, No Partiers. $800/mo. Dec. 15th. 250-756-9746

ROYAL OAK: 2 bdrm on cul-de-sac, utils incld, close to all amens, laundry hook ups, NS/NP. $1000/mo. Avail. now. (250)361-7327, (250)658-3601

WATERFRONT. NORTH Saa-nich. Large 2-bdrm, 2 bath. $1800./mo + 1/2 utils. Possibly small boat moorage +. NP/NS. (250)656-5999.

TRANSPORTATION

ANTIQUE/CLASSICS

1966 CHEVY Pick up, 1/2 ton short box, burgundy. 3 in the tree, 6 cylinder. Good condi-tion, runs great, comes with second set of winter tires and rims. Second owner for last 45 years, in Victoria. $6,000 obo. Call: 250-479-0441 or email: [email protected]

TRANSPORTATION

AUTO ACCESSORIES/PARTS

SET OF 4 Michelin all season tires on rims, P265/70R17 L2X A/T2. $650. (250)479-3775.

AUTO FINANCING

Auto Financing 1.800.910.6402

AUTO SERVICES

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

TRANSPORTATION

CARS

$50 to $1000Scrap Junk

Broken Down Cars Trucks Vans

FREE TOW AWAY

250-686-3933

SPORTS & IMPORTS

55 BENTLY 4 door in white, 6 automatic with a/c, lhd. ex California car. Needs paint and bodywork. Sacrifi ce price only $14,000. Call (289)296-7411.

BRITISH CLASSIC bargains. 69 Royals Royce silver shuttle. Rust free. Excellent through-out, low mileage. Right hand drive. Ideal for Hong Kong buyers. Only $8,500 fi rm and fair. Call (289)296-7411.

CLASSIFIED ADS WORK!Call 250.388.3535

TRANSPORTATION

RECREATIONAL VEHICLESFOR SALE

1998 TRAVELAIRE 5th wheel. Excellent condition forfurther info call 250-652-9660or view at 2537 Mt Newton XRds.

VTRUCKS & ANS

2011 FORD RANGER Sport. 4WD, 6 cyl. 25,000 km.$20,000. (778)351-0852.

MARINE

BOATS

14’ FIBERGLASS boat with 50 HP Suzuki, 4 stroke, usedonly for 13 hours. $6,000 obo.Call (250)652-1725.

HOME/BUSINESS SERVICES

ACCOUNTING/TAX/BOOKKEEPING

ACCOUNTINGVida Samimi

Certifi ed General Accountant

Bookkeeping, Audit,Payroll, HST. Set up &

Training. E-FileTAX

250-477-4601

CARPENTRY

BENOIT CONSTRUCTION. Reno’s & Additions. Windows, Doors, Decks. 250-479-0748.

INSTCARPET ALLATION

CARPET, LINO installation re-stretches & repairs. 30 years exp. Glen, 250-474-1024.

CLEANING SERVICES

HOUSEKEEPER EXPERI-ENCED, reliable. References. 250-920-6516, 250-881-7444.

ELECTRICAL

(250)217-3090.ELECTRICIAN 30 yrs exp. New homes and Renos. Knob & tube replace-ment. Service calls. Senior’s Disc. Free est. Lic.#3003.

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

AT&T ELECTRIC. Renova-tions. Residential & Commer-cial. Knob & tube replacement. #26125. (250)744-4550.

GNC ELECTRIC Res/Comm. Reasonable rates for quality work. #43619. 250-883-7632.


ELECTRICAL

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

FENCING

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

GARDENING

10% OFF! Fall Cleanups, Raking, Pruning, Hauling, Mowing. (250)479-6495.

250-479-7950FREE ESTIMATES

• Lawn Maintenance• Landscaping• Hedge Trimming• Tree Pruning• Yard Cleanups• Gardening/Weeding • Aeration, Odd JobsNO SURPRISES NO MESS

www.hollandave.ca

(250) 858-0588- Tree Service - Landscaping- Lawn & Garden Clean ups- Hedge trimming & Pruning- Pressure washing - Gutters

Free estimates * WCBwww.mowtime.ca

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


GARDENING

ELITE GARDEN MAINTENANCE

* STRATA CONTRACTS* LANDSCAPING

* SNOW REMOVAL CONTRACTS

778-678-2524

GARDEN OVERGROWN? Weeding, lawn cuts, clean-ups, pruning. John Kaiser 250-478-7314, 250-812-8236.

PREPARE YOUR Lawn & gar-den for fall & winter. Glenwood Gardenworks. 250-474-4373.

GUTTERS & DOWNSPOUTS

250-507-6543. AL’S V.I.P. Gutter Cleaning, guards, pow-er washing, de-moss, Insured.

ABBA EXTERIORS Gutter cleaning & repairs. Seniors discounts. WCB, Insured. Free estimates. (778)433-9275.

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


HANDYPERSONS

BIG BEAR Handyman. Paint-ing, household repairs. Free estimate. Barry 250-896-6071.

HANDYMAN- Light mainte-nance. Leaky taps, caulking, stain fabric/fl oor removal, elec-trical outlets & switch. Call (250)818-2709.

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.

FAMILY MAN Hauling. Call Chris for all your hauling needs. 250-920-8463.

JUNK BOX- We Do All The Loading

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

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


HAULING AND SALVAGE

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

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

250-216-9476 ACCEPTING new contracts; landscape and carpentry. BBB/Insured. Res /Comm. www.ftguland.com

CARPENTRY, DRYWALL, kitchen/bath, wood fl oors, tiles, plumbing, renos 250-213-6877

COMPLETE HOME Repairs. Suites, Renos, Carpentry, Dry-wall, Painting. Licensed and insured. Darren 250-217-8131.

JACK NASH, serving Victoria over 30 yrs. We do it all! Free estimates WCB. 250-881-3886

INTERIOR DESIGN

VIRGO INTERIORS- Certifi ed Interior decorator specializing in color schemes that work the fi rst time. Call (250)[email protected]

MASONRY & BRICKWORK

BILL’S MASONRY. Brick, tiles, pavers. All masonry & Chimney re-pointing. F/P re-pairs. 250-478-0186.

CBS MASONRY BBB. WCB. Chimneys, Fireplaces, Flag-stone Rock, Concrete Pavers, Natural & Veneered Stone. Replace, Rebuild, Renew! “Quality is our Guarantee”. Free Competitive Estimates. (250)294-9942/(250)589-9942. www.cbsmasonry.com


& MOVING STORAGE

2 BURLEY MEN MOVING. $85/hr for 2 men (no before or after travel time charges on lo-cal moves. Please call Scott or Joshua, (250)686-6507.

D O N E R I G H T M OV I N G . C A $80/hr. Senior Discount. Free Est’s. No travel time before or after. BBB accredited. Call Tyl-er at 250-418-1747.

PAINTING

A2Z PAINTING. Free esti-mates. Quality Interior Paint-ing. Call Erin (250)294-5422.

ALFRED, ALFRED Quality Painting. Wholesale, Dis-counts! 50 years experience. 250-382-3694.

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

LADY PAINTERServing the Peninsula for over 20 yrs. Interior/exterior. Call Bernice, 250-655-1127.

SAFEWAY PAINTING

High quality, Organized. Interior/Exterior

Residential/Commercial Jeff, 250-472-6660 Cell 250-889-7715

Member BBB


PAINTING

PLUMBING

EXPERIENCED JOURNEY-MAN Plumber. Renos, New Construction & Service. Fairrates. Insured. Reliable,friendly. Great references. CallMike at KNA (250)880-0104.

FELIX PLUMBING. Over 35 years experience. Reasonablerates. Call 250-514-2376.

PRESSURE WASHING

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

UPHOLSTERY

UPHOLSTERER NEEDS work. Your fabric or mine.250-480-7937.

WINDOW CLEANING

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

CHECK CLASSIFIEDS! 250.388.3535 or bcclassifi ed.com✔

SERVICE DIRECTORYwww.bcclassified.com 250.388.3535

CLASSIFIED ADS MEAN MORE BUSINESS

250.388.3535

fi l here please

Local news.Local shopping.Your local paper.Read the Saanich News

every Wednesday and Friday


Space, the final fron-tier. Sound like a sci-fi TV catch phrase? For Caylla and Adam Harvey, space was a challenge they faced every day in their condo, or at least the lack thereof.

The young working couple – she’s a senior executive administra-tive assistant in govern-ment while he’s working as a carpenter – have a plan for the future that includes kids and at least one big dog.

Adam bought the condo in 2011, a two-bed-room, one bathroom unit which he considered to be “a pretty decent size.”

After the couple mar-ried last year and added Sadie, a German shep-herd-chow-husky cross, the extra space was quickly used up.

“The closet in our spare room was taken over by Christmas dec-orations and random leftover wedding deco-rations. We needed more space,” Adam says.

Adds Caylla: “We both loved living in the condo. It was in a great location

right on Quadra Street. Even though it was big, we had outgrown it.”

The newlyweds began looking for a larger space and included detached homes in their search. They had specific objec-tives, knowing they will eventually expand their family.

Given that fact, Caylla was very concerned about location and wanted to be in a family oriented neighbourhood.

Both she and Adam also hoped to find a place they’d be comfortable in for at least five years.

During their search, the couple found them-selves weighing sev-eral variables, including price, location and how new or recently reno-vated units were.

“I wanted a town-house, because I thought we could get something nice, big and new for the same price as a two-bed-

room detached house,” Adam says.

It wasn’t quite as sim-ple as that, they found. With location in Greater Victoria playing a major factor in pricing, the properties they looked at ranged greatly in price.

In the end, they con-sidered their most important factors – loca-tion, size and allowance of larger dogs – as well as Adam’s carpentry skills, and chose a 1,900-square-

foot townhome in Royal Oak that needed some updating.

Tim Ayres, incoming president of the Victoria Real Estate Board, says townhomes can provide a more economical price point for homebuyers. The region’s benchmark, or typical, townhome is listed at $418,000 com-pared to the bench-mark detached home at $548,000.

“Plus, a lot of peo-ple underestimate the amount of time and money they’ll spend on upkeep and maintenance when they move into a detached house,” he says.

“Having most or all of this taken care of by way of a monthly strata fee will not only keep your home looking great, it will preserve its value because maintenance will not be deferred.”

The Harveys are very happy with their choice, Caylla says, pointing to such nearby amenities as shopping, banking, walk-ing trails and Saanich Commonwealth Place as part of that package.

“We went to a couple of places and immedi-ately liked them, only to find something we liked even more the next day,” Adam says. “Looking around for a while really paid off.”

– Don Descoteau

Q: WHAT WAS THE DEALMAKER

FOR YOU?

HomeFinderFind a place to call home

BUYING TIP | Visit a townhome in the daytime and evening to gauge the noise level

Do you have a house-hunting story you’d like to share

with us? Email [email protected]

To advertise in HomeFinder, call John Graham at

250.480.3227 or email [email protected]

Move to townhome a calculated decision

» 139

» $418,000» 3,829

He Said, She Said

SHE SAID: A lot of townhomes don’t allow certain size dogs, and we love our dog, Sadie,

so we had to � nd a place that she could

live, too.

HE SAID: If they don’t allow dogs, kids and

rentals, then we’re not buying it.

We askedCaylla and Adam

Harvey

TOTAL PROPERTIES SOLD OR DEALS PENDING THIS MONTH

BENCHMARK PRICE FOR A TYPICAL TOWNHOME

TOTAL NUMBER OF HOMES LISTED

GREATER VICTORIA MARKET UPDATE »

Photo contributed

Adam and Caylla Harvey are getting ready for Christmas in their Royal Oak townhome. They moved in this year after outgrowing their condominium.

AS OF DEC. 11

Location, size, dog-friendly complex factors for young couple

250.812.3942watersedgerenovations.com

Renovations & All Home Repairs• Windows/Doors • Bathrooms

• Flooring - Hardwood and Tile

• Home Additions & Renovations

• Decks, Fences & Railings


VICTORIA2648 Cedar Hill, $649,900Saturday & Sunday 12-3Re/Max CamosunJason Leslie, 250-478-9600

733A Humboldt (200 Douglas)Saturday, Sunday & Monday 1-4Macdonald Realty Helene Roy, 250 883-2715

1278 Bay St, $329,900Saturday 2-4One Percent Realty VIRay Kong, 250-590-7011

606 Speed Ave, $215,000Saturday & Sunday 1-3Royal LePage Coast Capital RealtyScott Munro, 250 477-5353

1704-751 Fair� eld Rd., $599,900Sunday 2:30-4One Percent Realty VIRay Kong, 250-590-7011

203-928 Southgate, $319,000Saturday 1-3Royal LePage Coast Capital RealtyCheri Crause, 250-592-4422

OAK BAY624 St Patrick, $829,900Sunday 2-4Brown Brothers Real EstateRobert Young 250 385-6900

VIEW ROYAL3 Woodville Pl, $329,000Sunday 2-4Re/Max CamosunDeb Coburn, 250-812-5333

ESQUIMALT306-710 Lampson, $179,900Sunday 12-2Royal LePage Coast Capital RealtyPaul Holland, 250-592-4422

376 Kinver St., $389,900Saturday & Sunday 2-4Pemberton HolmesAllen Tepper, 250-686-6325

405-1020 Esquimalt, $199,900Sunday 2:30-4:30Royal LePage Coast Capital RealtyPaul Holland, 250-592-4422

1028 Tillicum Rd, $424,900Sunday 2-4One Percent Realty VIRay Kong, 250-590-7011

404-520 Foster St, $199,900!Sunday 11-1Pemberton HolmesRick Couvelier, 250-477-0921

SAANICH EAST2604 Shieling PlSaturday & Sunday 2-4Re/Max CamosunDan Juricic, 250-514-8261

4062 Livingstone Ave, $529,000Saturday 2-4Pemberton HolmesArran McLellan, 250-384-8124

4-4701 Lochside, $559,900Saturday 2:30-4:30Royal LePage Coast Capital RealtyPaul Holland, 250-592-4422

2019 Casa Marcia, $624,900Saturday 1-3Pemberton HolmesAndrew Mara, 250-384-8124

982 Mckenzie Ave, $299,900Saturday & Sunday 1-4Royal LePage Coast Capital RealtyJames Liu, 250 477-5353

4942 Cordova Bay, $848,000Saturday 2-4Sutton West Coast RealtyJonas Solberg 250 479-3333

4009 Cedar Hill Rd, $529,900Saturday & Sunday 1-4Sutton Group West CoastJames Gardiner (250) 507-4333

25-3958 Cedar Hill Rd, $249,900Sunday 2-4Pemberton HolmesMike Lock, 250-384-8124

1575 Jasper Pl, $589,900Sunday 2-4Pemberton HolmesRick Couvelier, 250-477-0921

SAANICH WEST102-4394 West Saanich RdSunday 2-4Re/Max CamosunRoss Shortreed, 250-858-3585

SAANICH PENINSULA8552 Ebor Terr., $550,000Saturday 12-1:30One Percent RealtyGuy Effler, 250-812-4910

6750 Woodward, $499,900Saturday 2:30-4One Percent RealtyGuy Effler, 250-812-4910

9776 Fourth St.Tuesday-Saturday 1-3Gordon Hulme RealtyDon King 250-516-1202

9820 Seaport Pl, $499,500+Saturday & Sunday 1-3Holmes RealtyMichele Holmes, 250-656-0911

110-10461 Resthaven, $164,900Saturday 11-1Pemberton HolmesRick Couvelier, 250-477-0921

2030 Cardinal, $829,500Saturday 1-2Royal LePage Coast Capital RealtyMark McDougall, 250-588-8588

7161 West Saanich Rd, $276,900Saturday & Sunday & 1-3Re/Max CamosunCraig Walters, 250-655-0608

WEST SHORE 3008 Dornier Rd.Daily 12-4 DFH Real Estate Ltd.Mike Hartshorne, 250-889-4445

304-2732 Matson Rd, $229,900Wednesday-Sunday 2-4Re/Max CamosunNeil Docherty, 250-478-9600

2655 Sooke Rd, $219,900Thursday thru Monday 1-4Re/Max CamosunBrad Gregory, 250 744-3301

3467 Happy Valley Rd.Saturday & Sunday 12-4

DFH Real Estate Ltd.

Mike Hartshorne, 250-889-4445

593 Latoria Rd, $294,000Saturday & Sunday 1-4

Pemberton Holmes

Greg Long, 250-384-8124

OPEN HOUSES | DEC. 12 - DEC. 18, 2013 more details in Real Estate Victoria, available FREE on news stands now

Select your home.Select your mortgage.

Oak Bay 250-370-7601Westshore 250-391-2933

Victoria 250-483-1360Sidney 250-655-0632

www.vericoselect.comChatterton Way 250-479-0688

3379 Vision Way, $339,900Saturday & Sunday 1-3DFH Real Estate Ltd.Mike Hartshorne, 250-590-3921

1218 Clearwater Pl, $549,900Saturday 1-3DFH Real Estate Ltd.Jenn Raappana, 250-590-3921

Space, the final fron-tier. Sound like a sci-fi TV catch phrase? For Caylla and Adam Harvey, space was a challenge they faced every day in their condo, or at least the lack thereof.

The young working couple – she’s a senior executive administra-tive assistant in govern-ment while he’s working as a carpenter – have a plan for the future that includes kids and at least one big dog.

Adam bought the condo in 2011, a two-bed-room, one bathroom unit which he considered to be “a pretty decent size.”

After the couple mar-ried last year and added Sadie, a German shep-herd-chow-husky cross, the extra space was quickly used up.

“The closet in our spare room was taken over by Christmas dec-orations and random leftover wedding deco-rations. We needed more space,” Adam says.

Adds Caylla: “We both loved living in the condo. It was in a great location

right on Quadra Street. Even though it was big, we had outgrown it.”

The newlyweds began looking for a larger space and included detached homes in their search. They had specific objec-tives, knowing they will eventually expand their family.

Given that fact, Caylla was very concerned about location and wanted to be in a family oriented neighbourhood.

Both she and Adam also hoped to find a place they’d be comfortable in for at least five years.

During their search, the couple found them-selves weighing sev-eral variables, including price, location and how new or recently reno-vated units were.

“I wanted a town-house, because I thought we could get something nice, big and new for the same price as a two-bed-

room detached house,” Adam says.

It wasn’t quite as sim-ple as that, they found. With location in Greater Victoria playing a major factor in pricing, the properties they looked at ranged greatly in price.

In the end, they con-sidered their most important factors – loca-tion, size and allowance of larger dogs – as well as Adam’s carpentry skills, and chose a 1,900-square-

foot townhome in Royal Oak that needed some updating.

Tim Ayres, incoming president of the Victoria Real Estate Board, says townhomes can provide a more economical price point for homebuyers. The region’s benchmark, or typical, townhome is listed at $418,000 com-pared to the bench-mark detached home at $548,000.

“Plus, a lot of peo-ple underestimate the amount of time and money they’ll spend on upkeep and maintenance when they move into a detached house,” he says.

“Having most or all of this taken care of by way of a monthly strata fee will not only keep your home looking great, it will preserve its value because maintenance will not be deferred.”

The Harveys are very happy with their choice, Caylla says, pointing to such nearby amenities as shopping, banking, walk-ing trails and Saanich Commonwealth Place as part of that package.

“We went to a couple of places and immedi-ately liked them, only to find something we liked even more the next day,” Adam says. “Looking around for a while really paid off.”

– Don Descoteau

Q: WHAT WAS THE DEALMAKER

FOR YOU?

HomeFinderFind a place to call home

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Move to townhome a calculated decision

» 139

» $418,000» 3,829

He Said, She Said

SHE SAID: A lot of townhomes don’t allow certain size dogs, and we love our dog, Sadie,

so we had to � nd a place that she could

live, too.

HE SAID: If they don’t allow dogs, kids and

rentals, then we’re not buying it.

We askedCaylla and Adam

Harvey

TOTAL PROPERTIES SOLD OR DEALS PENDING THIS MONTH

BENCHMARK PRICE FOR A TYPICAL TOWNHOME

TOTAL NUMBER OF HOMES LISTED

GREATER VICTORIA MARKET UPDATE »

Photo contributed

Adam and Caylla Harvey are getting ready for Christmas in their Royal Oak townhome. They moved in this year after outgrowing their condominium.

AS OF DEC. 11

Location, size, dog-friendly complex factors for young couple

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BRING ON THE BAKING!

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Over Limit Price $1.39/lb, $3.06/kg

reservep i c k u p

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Holidays.Holidays.Holidays.

Saanich News, December 13, 2013

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Transcript of Saanich News, December 13, 2013