Tofino-Ucluelet Westerly News, November 25, 2015

News updates: westerlynews.ca Serving Tofino and Ucluelet $1.25 [including tax]

November 25, 2015 Wednesday

ANDREW BAILEYWesterly news

the alberni clayoquot Region-al district has reached a new three-year agreement with its employees.

the agreement will see cuPE members receive annual wage increases of 1.75 per cent over the next three years and includes no changes to employ-ee benefits.

the acRd’s board ratified the agreement in a closed meeting on Oct. 28 and it was official-ly agreed to by the canadian union of Public Employees, local 118, on nov. 10.

“the agreement presents a fair wage increase for our employees while respecting the need for prudent budgeting,” said acRd Board chair, Josie Osborne.

“We are investing in the acRd’s greatest asset, its employees. On behalf of the Board, i offer my thanks to both our Management committee and the cuPE negotiating com-mittee for their efforts.”

cuPE local 118 President Stacy Watton touted this latest round of bargaining as “respect-ful and productive.”

“We achieved a fair deal that includes improved recognition of and protection for casual and temporary Employees and we look forward to providing great services to the Regional district over the term of the agreement,” Watton said.

[email protected]

CUPE raises

ANDREW BAILEYWesterly news

ucluelet local andrew Mccurdy dove into the ocean and swam rough-ly 200 metres to rescue a drowning seabird last week.

Mccurdy is a marine biolo-gist with the ucluelet aquar-ium and saw the bird acting strangely from the aquar-ium’s ocean-facing windows during a nov. 17 storm.

He told the Westerly he

initially thought the bird might be bathing but he quickly realized it was in trouble.

“He tried to take off a few times but just couldn’t quite raise his wings and i could tell they were totally satur-ated with water,” he said. “it was clear that he was trying to take off but couldn’t.”

Mccurdy had never seen a fulmar before and didn’t recognize the animal.

“the first thing i did was try to figure out what kind of bird it was just to see if what it was doing was normal because, of course, i don’t want to try to rescue a bird that’s totally fine; that’s just going to freak them out,” he said.

He identified the bird as a fulmar and called the north island Wildlife Recovery association in Errington for more information.

His call was answered by the association’s wild-life manager Julie Mackey who told him fulmars can over-exhaust themselves and drown.

“after i learned that, i thought i better jump in and pull him out,” Mccurdy said. “i popped on my dry-suit, swam out there and got him.”

See BIRD RESCUED page 14

Hero saves drowning seabirdCATHY PARSONS PHOTO

Ucluelet Aquarium staffer Andrew McCurdy dove into the Coast’s cold November ocean to save a distressed seabird.

FATAL ACCIDENT:

a man died in a Pac. Rim Hwy. crash on Monday.

PAgE 2

INSIDETHIS WEEK:

OFF TO OTTAWA:

tofino’s gord Johns is excited to join the fed-eral government.

PAgE 5

LEST WE FORgET:in part 2 of his lest We Forget series Jul-ius Smolders shares his mother’s route to canada.

PAgE 14

7313

226

[including tax]

Cleo Tetrault, RMT Pacifi c Coast Massage Therapy

COMMUNITY MASSAGE – PAY WHAT YOU CANFRI NOV 6TH AND FRI DEC 4TH, 9-6

7248238

250-726-7779 • 11-1636 peninsula road • Uclueletwww.registeredmassage.com

Cell: 250-726-3888 Fax: 888-885-0005 250-726-2228

Mieke Dusseldorp

www.miekedusseldorp.com

Happily serving T & Ucluelet

MID ISLAND REALTY

E: [email protected] P: 1 800 668 2208W: markhobson.com F: 1 250 725 3120

366 Campbell St.(Box 381), TOFINO, B.C.,

V0R 2Z0

| The Westerly News Wednesday, November 25, 2015

ANDREW BAILEYWesterly News

A man died in a fatal two-vehicle-collision on the Pacific Rim Highway near the West Coast Junction Monday night.

Sgt. Jeff Swann of the Ucluelet RCMP told the Westerly News that a man driving a pickup truck collided with a motor-home and died in the ensuing flames.

The man was reportedly driving erratically and passing cars while traveling south from Tofino towards Ucluelet.

“He crossed the centre line and

struck the motorhome head–on,” Swann said.

He said bystanders were unable to free the man from his truck, which quickly caught fire after the crash.

“Several people tried to get him out but he was trapped in the vehicle,” Swann said. “Both vehicles caught fire and both were destroyed by fire…It was pretty quick, within a minute the flames had already started.”

He said the motorhome’s two passengers escaped relatively unharmed and received treat-ment at the Tofino General Hos-pital for non-life-threatening

injuries. The deceased man’s identity

had not been released at press time.

The highway was shut down in both directions while the investigation was underway though an alternate route was set up through logging roads to help travelers get in and out of Tofino.

The highway reopened around 2 a.m. Tuesday morning.

The BC Coroners Service arrived at the scene around 6 p.m. Monday night and an investigation is ongoing. [email protected]

Man dies in fatal crash on Pacific Rim Highway

ANDREW BAILEY PHOTO Emergency crews responded to a fatal collision on the Pacific Rim Hwy. around 4:30 p.m. Monday.

Online: www.westerlynews.ca

The Westerly News | Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Follow us on Twitter: @WesterlyNews


Surfers discovered Raveshan Morgan Pillay’s body on Vargas Island last week.

Pillay was the last unaccount-ed-for passenger from the Leviathan II, which capsized in an Oct. 25 whale-watching disaster.

“In the early evening of Nov. 18, 2015, surfers reported find-ing a body on the beach of Var-gas Island,” read a statement from the BC Coroners Service. “An investigation has estab-lished that it is the body of Mr. Pillay. He is now confirmed as the sixth fatality of the events of Oct. 25.”

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada believes most of Leviathan II’s 27 passengers were on the top deck of the 65-foot whale-watching vessel when a wave hit and caused it to capsize.

An investigation into the inci-dent is ongoing.

“The discovery of Rav Pillay’s body provides a sense of relief and closure,” said Tofino mayor Josie Osborne.

“I know that many members of our communities will be think-ing about him, his family and his loved ones. I cannot express enough gratitude to Tofino, Ahousaht and Tla-o-qui-aht responders and to the RCMP

divers, SAR volunteers, fisher-men, and community members who searched for countless hours for him in the days after the accident.”

[email protected]

Surfers find body of lost Leviathan II passenger

SUSAN QUINNAlberni Valley News

A Port Alberni woman is in hospital in Victoria and her family is shaken and wondering why they have been targeted after an incendiary device exploded at their Stuart Avenue home.

Port Alberni RCMP were called to the rural residence on Nov. 20 just after 9 a.m. after receiving a report about an incendiary device that had detonated.

“Preliminary investigation indi-cates that the injured woman located a package in the driveway of the home and brought it inside,” RCMP Inspector Mac Richards said. “While moving the package, an explosion occurred.”

The package was filled with plastic shopping bags and yet-to-be-deter-mined contents, Richards said.

“The origin of this package and how or why it came to be at this home remain under investigation at this time,” he said.

The woman’s husband, who did not want to be identified, said his wife was airlifted to Victoria. “She’s going to have hand problems,” he said. The

husband and his father-in-law were treated at West Coast General Hospi-tal and released.

He did not want to speak with the media any further about what happened.

Three members of the RCMP’s Emergency Disposal Unit arrived on the scene around 4 p.m. to speak with family members and survey the scene, which had been cordoned off for several hours.

Richards said this is the first time in the three years he has been in Port Alberni that he has had to deal with an incendiary device. “It’s not a com-mon occurrence.”

Anyone who locates a suspicious item of unknown origin is urged not to disturb it and to contact police for assistance, he said.

Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact the Port Alberni RCMP at 250-723-2424 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at avcrimestoppers.ca.

[email protected]

Port Alberni woman injured in explosion

A RCMP dive team searches for Raveshan Pillay’s body.

The Westerly News (1987) Ltd. is a division of Black Press.

The Westerly News publishes weekly on Wednesday and regularly posts online at www.westerlynews.ca

Who WE ARE

Peter [email protected] Bailey, Reporter [email protected]

Nora O’[email protected] Larson, Ad Controller [email protected]

CoNTACT US P.O. Box 317, Ucluelet B.C. V0R 3A0 102-1801 Bay St., UclueletPh: 250-726-7029 Fax: 250-726-4282

DEADLINES Display ads Friday at 2 p.m. Call 250-726-7029 [email protected]

Classified ads Tuesday at 10 a.m. Call 1-855-310-3535 [email protected]

Online ads Start anytime Call 250-726-7029 [email protected] Letters to the editor Sunday at 5 p.m. [email protected]

SUBSCRIPTIoNSLocal area: $75.18 Seniors (local): $63.91 Canada: $84.56 U.S.: $155.18To subscribe call: 1-888-311-7713 or 250-729-4266

We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Peri odical Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage. The Tofino-Ucluelet Westerly News, a division of Black Press, respects your privacy. We collect, use and disclose your personal information in accordance with our Privacy Statement which is available by calling 250-729-4223. The contents of this newspaper are protected by copyright and may be used only for personal, non-commercial purposes.

TIDES Local tides brought to

you by:Thursday 26 Friday 27 Saturday 28 Sunday 29 Monday 30 Tuesday 1 Wednesday 2

metres feet metres feet metres feet metres feet metres feet metres feet metres feet

12:38 AM 3.5 11.56:16 AM 1.3 4.312:17 PM 4.0 13.17:04 PM 0.2 0.7

1:26 AM 3.5 11.57:03 AM 1.4 4.61:01 PM 4.0 13.17:49 PM 0.2 0.7

2:13 AM 3.5 11.57:50 AM 1.5 4.91:45 PM 3.8 12.58:33 PM 0.4 1.3

3:01 AM 3.4 11.28:38 AM 1.6 5.22:31 PM 3.6 11.89:18 PM 0.6 2.0

3:49 AM 3.3 10.89:29 AM 1.7 5.63:19 PM 3.3 10.810:03 PM 0.8 2.6

4:39 AM 3.2 10.510:27 AM 1.7 5.64:12 PM 3.1 10.210:51 PM 1.0 3.3

5:32 AM 3.2 10.511:33 AM 1.8 5.95:13 PM 2.9 9.511:43 PM 1.2 3.9

Son BirdRefuse & Recycling 250-726-4406

Chris Bird 250-726-8144

Th u r s day 26 Fr i day 27 saT u r day 28 su n day 29 Mo n day 30 Tu e s day 1

Sunny 8/3

Sunny9/5

Sunny9/2

Sunny9/8

Showers9/8

Rain9/8

REMEMBER — Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!

online: www.westerlynews.ca

Motive for bomb remains unclear

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Nov. 25 Tofino Recycles

Ucluelet / Tofi no726-2228 725-2038

midislandrealty.com

CARGO

Supporting local charities

Discounts for donations


JEH CUSTERRA AND ROBERT ZUROWSKILocal Voices

The 21st United Nations’ Cli-mate Summit (COP 21) begins in Paris next week marking the con-tinuing effort of nations around the world to finally make a sub-stantial agreement to address the climate crisis. Last week, the U.N. released their latest climate report confirming the need for massive globally cooperation to overhaul energy supply chains and reform farming and forest management. The good news is about 150 countries, out of about 196 total, have submitted action plans to reduce carbon emissions. For a new climate treaty to be ambitious it must include sci-ence-based targets, real money, and a strong framework to carry action forward.

The climate justice message is clear: keep fossil fuels in the ground and finance a just transi-tion to 100% renewable energy by 2050. To do this, we need to stop as many new fossil fuel projects as possible, and phase out exist-ing ones, so that we can keep coal, oil and gas in the ground. Second, we need to weaken the political and financial power of the fossil fuel industry - this is where fos-sil fuel divestment comes in. We need to stop giving money to the polluters and start giving power back to the people. Third, we need to show the world that solutions are underway and that a push to 100% renewable energy, as well as more regenerative farming and

forestry practices, that will help combat poverty and unemploy-ment while minimizing pollution. Fourth, we need to show that there is a massive public demand for action, mobilizing around the world at an unprecedented scale.

Closer to home, there have been some hopeful examples of this kind of leadership from govern-ments. In the United States, in response the climate justice move-ment’s advocacy, President Obama recently rejected the Keystone XL pipeline which proposed to ship about 1 million barrels of tar sands oil each day from Alberta to the Gulf of Mexico. While in Canada, the newly elected Prime Minister Trudeau ordered a ban on oil tankers for Dixon Entrance, Hecate Strait & Queen Charlotte Sound. This effectively rejects the controversial Northern Gateway pipeline proposal as oil tankers are now not permitted to operate on the northern coast of BC. Stop-ping these two pipelines prevents a near doubling of carbon inten-sive tar sands production.

In Clayoquot Sound, there have also been some real victories in the past months. Leadership from both the Hesquiaht Nation and the Ahousaht Nation have announced bans on industrial logging in their territories. These moratoriums, protecting the for-ests, are hugely significant for ecosystem health and climate action. Deforestation is one of the largest contributors to climate destabilization globally, while old growth forests are amongst the richest stores of carbon on Earth.

Climate action from around the world was on display at the last Monday Night Movies in Tofinp feature “This Changes Every-thing”. The documentary is based on Naomi Klein’s latest book of the same title which examines how capitalism is giving rise to climate chaos. Klein argues that the real inconvenient truth for climate action is that the cur-rent economic system, of infinite growth and externalities, cannot be reconciled with the ecological balance of carbon necessitated by natural law. The film illustrates that our climate justice moment will not only be defined by what

happens between governments in the negotiating halls, but also through actions organized by grassroots people around the world.

If enough people agree that it’s time for the world to move in a new direction, and push together, the world will begin to move. The factors influencing climate change can often best be addressed at the local, community level. This understanding is what inspired Friends of Clayoquot Sound to organize the Clayoquot Sound Global Climate March.

On Saturday, November 28th at 11am, please join us at the North

Chesterman Beach to listen to local climate action advocates and visually demonstrate our solidarity with thousands of sim-ilar marches happening around the world for the Global Climate March in the days leading up to the UN Climate Summit. Please wear vibrant colours and bring your message for our climate action photobooth. For more information and updates please visit Friends of Clayoquot Sound on Facebook or visit www.focs.ca.

Jeh Custerra and Robert Zurowski are members of the Friends of Clayoquot Sound.

Opinion

The FOCS demonstrate in solidarity with old growth forest actions happening in the Walbran Valley. SUBMITTED PHOTO

Global Climate March comes to Clayoquot Sound

JAY ROBERTS AND SHAWNA ROBERTS Local Voices

This is a letter of gratitude to everyone in our community who has donated funds, time and resources to build Tofino Nature Kids’ new forest classroom!

Our Indiegogo campaign was a success and, with the energy of many local helpers, we now have a warm, dry space for the upcom-ing winter season at Nature Kids.

A big thank you to the following individuals and businesses who donated funds specifically to our scholarship program - Tacofino, Pacific Sands, Patricia Szeto, Jason Watts, Esther Celebrini, Christine Paterson, Adrienne Henderson, Seanna McLean… (we apologize if we have forgot

someone). These scholarships are available

now on a need-basis and can be used for any of our Tofino Nature Kids programs including Pro-D days, weekly programs, and after school club.

A big thank you to George Pater-son and the Tofino Botanical Gar-dens for your continued support.To discover more information about our programs please visit www.tofinonaturekids.com, we would love to hear from you with any questions you may have!

Jay and Shawna Roberts are the founders of Tofino Nature Kids. They can be reached at PO Box 105, 250-725-2544, [email protected].

Nature Kids show gratitude for local supporters

Tofino Nature Kids have a blast exploring their unique and diverse West Coast environment. SUBMITTED PHOTO



After spending the past 20 years in Tofino, Gord Johns is off to Ottawa to take his seat at the fed-eral government’s table.

The NDP’s Johns spent elec-tion night in Parksville where he heard he had bested Conservative incumbent John Duncan to the tune of 26,595 votes to 19,631 to become the new Courtenay-Alber-ni riding’s first MP.

The NDP took six of Vancouver Island’s seven ridings—Green Party leader Elizabeth May won Saanich-Gulf Island—but the party fell to third nationally meaning the West Coast has an MP outside the governing party for the first time since 2006 but Johns does not believe he’ll carry less clout than his predecessors.

“We saw what it looked like with a majority member in gov-ernment and I think people were actually really disappointed about the lack of voice we had in Ottawa,” he told the Westerly News last week.

“The Liberal government has made a very serious commitment, which we’ll be holding them to, that they’re going to represent all Canadians and they’re not going to be playing partisan politics when it comes to giving our share to our riding and we’ll keep an eye on that and monitor that as we

see the need for supports in our communities come forward.”

The first session of Canada’s new parliament is set for Dec. 3 and Johns said his first priority will be to push for the reopening of Coast Guard stations closed by Stephen Harper’s Conservative government.

“That will be our first opportun-ity to ask the government what their plans are around marine traffic control centres,” he said. “We need to reopen those centres, we know that we need more local knowledge in the Coast Guard.”

One of the centres Harper closed was Ucluelet’s Marine Communi-cations and Traffic Services Cen-tre, which was taken offline in August this year.

Johns noted the new Liberal government made a solid move earlier this month when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau ordered the reopening of Vancouver’s Kits-ilano station.

“We’re really happy to see the Liberals take that first step,” Johns said.

“We hope they’ll follow through with their promises, and stop the closure of Comox [Marine Com-munications and Traffic Services centre] and reopen the Tofino station, which is in Ucluelet, so that we can make sure we have the services we need in place for a very robust and advancing mar-

ine economy as we increase trade with Asia.”

While Johns is heading into his rookie year in federal politics, he said he will benefit from his experiences on Tofino’s municipal council and the Tofino Long Beach chamber of commerce.

“It’s at a much bigger scale being a member of parliament and certainly the responsibilities are very high but having that local government experience has been invaluable,” he said.

“Having run a chamber of com-merce, the diversity of our region and on the West Coast helps me understand diversity in our coun-try and making sure our voice is heard won’t be a problem for me as a Member of Parliament.”

Both Tofino mayor Josie Osborne and Ucluelet may-or Dianne St. Jacques have expressed excitement about hav-ing a West Coaster in Ottawa and Johns said his local knowledge will help him push local issues to the federal forefront.

“You have someone there who’s going to represent you, someone who’s going to speak on your behalf, someone that understands your issues and can connect with you, someone you can reach out to and know they’re going to listen to your issues, understand what you’re talking about and relate,” he said.

“I am in touch with our com-munities and I know our needs very well.”

He hopes to strengthen local commerce in his riding’s rural communities.

“We know that wealth starts in rural communities but it often leaves rural communities and we need to change that,” he said.

“My job as a Member of Par-liament is for people to clearly understand what our needs are and why it benefits all Canadians to start to work on the solutions that help support rural commun-ities. Rural communities are the lifeblood in our nation.”

Johns plans to set up constitu-ency offices in Parksville, Port Alberni and Courtenay but said budget constraints would not allow for a West Coast office.

“We have to be very respectful

of taxpayers dollars,” he said. He added he will keep in con-

stant contact with West Coast leaders and assured he will remain a West Coaster despite spending a lot of time in Ottawa.

“Of course I’ll miss home, it was a big sacrifice to give up living in the community that I love and adore and where my heart is to take on this career change,” he said.

“I think about the West Coast everyday. My deep connection to our communities is what motiv-ates and inspires me.”

[email protected]

Energetic Johns excited to take on Ottawa

Visit www.westerlynews.ca to answer this week’s poll question:

Do you believe Gord Johns will represent you well in Ottawa? a) Yes. I was thrilled with the election result. Having a West Coast local in Parliament means our voice will be heard.

b) No, I was disappointed with the election result. I do not believe Johns was the right candidate for the job.

Last week we asked, ‘Do you agree with the RCMP’s limited

duration posting policy?’

66.7 said ‘No,’ 33.3 said ‘Yes.’

What do YOU think?

OpiniOn pOll

CANDACE WU PHOTO NDP MP Gord Johns celebrates his win in Oct. 19’s federal election that saw him become the new Courtenay-Alberni riding’s first MP.

SOUTH COAST ROUTES Nov 16 – Dec 19, select sailings*Mon – Thurs and Saturdays

NORTH COAST ROUTES Nov 15 – Dec 20, all sailings**

$Per standard vehicle each way.

2770 †SAVE UP TO

$Per standard vehicle each way.

12925 † †SAVE UP TO

Share the coast with friends and family this season.

For full details:Visit bcferries.com or call 1-888-BC FERRY

Standard vehicle fares are half price on select sailings on all routes. Restrictions apply.

All Insertion Dates:

Ad#: BCF_198_P_TW_MASTER

PRINTER NAME: THE WESTERLY

Client: BC Ferries Insertion Date: Nov 04, Nov 11, Nov 25, Dec 2File Name: 21012198_P_50Off _4.3125x5_TW Material Due: Oct 30 (collective delivery) Actual Size: 4.3125" W x 5"H Publication: The WesterlyColours: 4C Contact: Date: October 27, 2015 1:32 PM Operator: MFinn

“50% Off Vehicles” promotion is applicable on standard vehicle fares (excludes driver & passenger fares) up to 20 feet in length including motorcycles. *South Coast Routes: Offer valid on select sailings November 16 – December 19, 2015, Monday to Thursday and Saturdays on the following routes: Metro Vancouver; Vancouver Island; Sunshine Coast; Southern Gulf Islands; Northern Gulf Islands, in either direction. †Savings refl ect Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay route. **North Coast Routes: Offer is valid on all sailings November 15 – December 20, 2015, on the following routes: Inside Passage; Haida Gwaii; Discovery Coast Connector; Skidegate – Alliford Bay, in either direction. ††Savings refl ect Port Hardy to Prince Rupert route. Discount does not apply to extra foot charges for over-length vehicles. Not applicable for buses, commercial vehicles and bicycles. Experience Card and Resident discounts will be increased to match the promotional discount on promotional sailings. Promotion cannot be applied retroactively to existing BC Ferries Vacations package bookings. Limited time offer. Other conditions may apply. Visit bcferries.com for full details on applicable sailings. Reg. 48839.

50%OFF

VEHICLESVEHICLESSELECT SAILINGS. ALL ROUTES.


SALLY MOLELocal Voice

The Ucluelet Chamber of Com-merce is proud to announce our bid to host the 2016 Tourism Vancouver Island Conference and AGM was successful! This was announced at the recent 2015 conference and AGM in Campbell River, and in partnership with the District of Ucluelet and Tourism Ucluelet, we hosted a reception after the announcement, which was very well attended, with lots of people excited about coming out to the coast in October. We see this as an opportunity to show-case our members and to share the Ucluelet experience. We were also happy to do some “bonding” with our neighbours from Tofino and the Ucluelet Nation. A great west coast front! As we start preparing for the event, we will be work-ing together with the District of Ucluelet and Tourism Ucluelet to shape a robust and inspiring event that will be an economic boost and a support for our members.

I don’t think anyone on the west coast has not noticed a very busy season this year. On our end of the peninsula, our stats show an increase of visitor numbers over 23% at the Pacific Rim Visitor Cen-tre and over 40% at the downtown

office, as of end of October, from the start of the year. While theses statistics are encouraging, it also reflects an increase in the level of service we need to offer. The more visitors through the door, the less “desk work” gets done. We pride ourselves on providing our visitors with great information on all the west coast has to offer, but this does take time. And it can be quite fun! I had a young couple in from the Kootenays, who, after some conversation and a quick text to Australia, we discovered the guy’s Dad had been taught by my Mum in the interior. Another couple that I ran into in the co-op this year who remembered me from last year (they come out every year from Alberta) and then stopped in a couple of times on their month off. How can you not like that?

At our recent AGM, we welcomed 3 new directors; John Douglas, Sarah Duncan, and Damien Storm. It was a lovely event; business in the front, networking in the back! These new directors attended our last regular meeting and have brought some fresh energy to the table. Welcome!

The Chamber directors have decided to revamp the previous “gala” event into a “Lounge Fever”

event. On November 28, the UCC will be transformed into a lounge style venue, with couches, stand up tables, sit down tables, lamps and side tables/coffee tables.

Crazy live auction items, and sweet silent auction items. My personal fave will be the 11 piece band.. Don’t get that often in Ukee! Tickets were on sale ‘til Saturday, you may be lucky to find a board member with a couple tickets in their pocket...

We are currently conducting our membership drive and encour-age new businesses that may be “chamber curious” to stop by and check us out. We are very focused on connecting members with each other, with other sources of information, and with support networks. We recently held an end of season mingler that saw us putting “people who have accents” together, along with making sure our new resident business owners were made welcome. It was such a success, we look forward to hosting more of these in the future! Please feel free to drop by the chamber office if we can help you in any way....

Sally Mole is the Executive Dir-ector of the Ucluelet chamber of commerce.

CHAMBER CHATTER

Ucluelet set to host 2016 Island tourism conference

JEN DARTLocal VoiceHave you ever wondered how the

Chamber of Commerce helps local businesses?

It’s a good question, and more than likely you’re not alone if you’re not sure.

As a non-profit mainly powered by membership dues, our mem-bers have to see value from being part of the Chamber network.

The networking opportunities associated with Chamber mem-bership are well known, as is the exposure through our Destination Marketing Organization, Tourism Tofino.

What might not be quite so evident is the ways the Cham-ber works to improve the overall conditions for business in Tofino, and the priorities our members identify as important to them specifically.

One of the top priorities for Tofino businesses is affordable and attainable housing. While this issue affects the entire community, it also impacts the ability of busi-nesses to attract and retain the employees they need, both in the summer and throughout the year. The Chamber is part of the Com-munity Economic Development Advisory Committee, a committee of Tofino council struck to advise on economic development issues

like housing. We will be working to make our members’ voices heard on housing and other issues through this committee, and dir-ectly to council.

We are also involved with lob-bying regarding the regulatory environment (business licensing, bylaws, signage, parking, etc.)

How else do we work to improve business conditions? Through supportive programming, like workshops and programs like the Tofino Ambassador Program, a training program aimed at employees run in conjunction with the Raincoast Education Society. We also host events, like our recent luncheon sponsored by Shelter Restaurant (thanks to Mike Jacobsen and crew!). At this event, we heard from Andrew Hoffman of Mascon, the new owners of Seaview Cable, about upcoming upgrades to services. Ursula Banke from AV Employment gave details on an upcoming local job fair and services her organization provides.

That’s just a little on how the Chamber of Commerce in Tofino works for the business community that we exist to improve. In Tofino we’re extremely lucky to be part of a vibrant business community that boasts a high number of busi-ness licenses compared to popu-

lation, and also a high ratio of Chamber memberships to number of businesses.

If you’re not currently a member and are curious about how we could help grow your business, please contact me at [email protected].

We are hosting a General Mem-bership Meeting, Nov. 26 at 7pm. Our agenda for this meeting is to review and update some Chamber bylaws, but it is also an oppor-tunity to come, enjoy some com-plimentary food and drinks, and socialize with fellow Chamber members.

Tourism Tofino is also releasing the results of the 2015 Summer Visitor Experience Survey on the same day starting at 4pm. Please email us to find out more. Jin-gle into Christmas is coming up quickly; Friday, Dec. 4. Thanks to the District of Tofino, a shuttle bus will once again be available, starting at the Cox Bay Info Centre at 5pm. Chamber/Tourism Tofino members are welcome to email their Jingle events and specials to us at [email protected]. Check back often for more special details and see you out jingling!

Jen Dart is the Executive Dir-

ector of the Tofino chamber of commerce.

Tuff chamber ready to jingle


Westerly

LIFE


Santa’s elves can’t do it all so Ukee’s local businesses are get-ting ready to spread good cheer by plummeting prices at this year’s Midnight Madness event.

The event is set for Friday, Nov. 27, and West Coasters are champ-ing at the bit to start crossing off their Christmas shopping lists.

Courtenay-Alberni MP Gord Johns is hoping to see a huge turnout at both Friday’s Midnight Madness event in Ucluelet as well as Tofino’s Jingle into Christmas event on Dec. 4.

He told the Westerly News that it’s vital for locals to get out and support their local shops and businesses and keep their Christ-mas dollars in town.

“It’s so important that people support local businesses,” he said.

“Small business is the economic engine of our economy and cer-tainly in Courtenay- Alberni and our small communities, if we’re going to maintain healthy com-munities we need to support local business. That money circulates in our communities and we don’t need it leaking out and being spent out of town.”

He said spending money locally

helps create jobs and opportun-ities for locals.

“They’re the people that contrib-ute to keeping our communities alive and vibrant so we need to support small business,” he said.

“These events are really import-ant, especially in the shoulder season…and it’s certainly very important that everybody gets out and supports their local businesses.”

Ucluelet chamber of com-merce executive director Sally Mole is stoked for the upcoming shopping festivities and cited a phrase adopted by the Port Alber-ni Chamber of Commerce that

encourages locals to, ‘Try home first.’

“Home is where your community is, it’s where your families gather, and when you shop you’re sup-porting home,” Mole said.

“When you buy local you are supporting the families and the people that live here and that’s just a good thing.”

She added Midnight Madness brings locals “great specials and great deals,” and a chance to reconnect with their neighbours.

“You’re out shopping at night which is kind of unique and fun and you’re reconnecting. You run into people and see people you

probably haven’t seen after a busy summer season and you get a chance to connect and catch up,” she said.

She added the event helps locals find special and unique tastes of Ucluelet to send to out of town friends and family.

“For Christmas shopping, I always like to send things from Ukee back to my family in Aus-tralia or Alberta. I think that’s a great thing,” she said.

[email protected]

Ukee ready to rock Midnight MadnessLocals encouraged to ‘Try Home First’ during Christmas shopping season

ANDREW BAILEY PHOTO From left Monika Scott, holding Betty June Scott, and Angie Roussin, holding Scupper, get stoked on Ucluelet’s upcoming Midnight Madness festivities outside Roussin’s popular clothing store Pina Boutique and Gallery.

Westerly

LIFE


STOCKING STUFFER IDEAS

FROM THE WESTERLY NEWS

TEAMTexting Mittens from Reflecting Spirit.Also good driving mitts (but don’t do both at once!)

Quick-change from The Place.We jammin’.Jammin.And I hope you like jammin’ too.

Novelty gumfrom Crow’s Nest.Funny, endearing,and downright obnoxious.

Sea urchin ornamentfrom Image West.Handmade in Ucluelet.


#UsedHelpsA division of

SAVEANYWHERE.

Introducing the New Save.ca Mobile Cash-Back Feature. With exclusive offers for the brands you love & $5 cash-out minimums

through PayPal, you’ll never go shopping without your smart phone again!

Get Cash Back in 3 Easy Steps

Visit save.ca/cashback to Learn More

1. Browse & ShopBrowse the mobile app

for your favourite brand’s offers, and purchase

them at any store

2. Upload Receipt Take a photo of your receipt and submit it

through the app

3. Get Cash Back! Once you reach just $5, the money you save will be transferred into your

PayPal wallet

In partnership with

SAVEANYWHERE.







them at any store


through the app


PayPal wallet

In partnership withSAVEANYWHERE.







them at any store


through the app


PayPal wallet

In partnership with

SAVEANYWHERE.







them at any store


through the app


PayPal wallet

In partnership with

In-Style

footwear raingear gifts rentals tutus

250.731.4796

footwear raingear Newborn-14+

1972 Peninsula Road Ucluelet

In-Style

Head to toe kids fashions!

250-534-9842 cell | 250-725-2038 [email protected] | www.realestatetofino.ca 7249084

“Here to help you live the dream…”

TIA TRAVISSRE/MAX Mid-Island Realty To� no



An inspiring 11 year-old Tofino local walked from her hometown to Ucluelet last week in an effort to raise money for children who can’t access clean water.

Toby Theriault took about 10 hours to complete her Walk to Change, which she kicked off at 7 a.m. on Nov. 20.

“I walked from Tofino to Uclue-let to support dry countries where children have to walk a really long way everyday to get water that may not be clean for their families,” she told the Westerly.

Theriault has raised over $3,500 since launching her Walk to Change campaign to help Free the Children’s efforts to bring access to food, water and education to youth throughout the world.

She hopes to see local support boost her total to $5,000 by the campaign’s end on Dec. 3 because, according to Free the Children’s website, $5,000 is enough to build a community well in an area of need.

“If you think about it, you take a lot of things for granted when you’re here because we’re so lucky to live here. You turn on the tap and you have water and I realized a lot of people can’t do that. Why can’t everyone be like us,” she asked.

“A reason to donate is if you want other people to be as lucky as us because there’s a lot of people out there who aren’t.”

She said her experience at Oct. 21’s We Day conference in Vancou-ver inspired her to take action.

All three of the West Coast’s schools are We Schools, which

offer students year-round oppor-tunities to pursue global change and local volunteerism. BC’s We Schools celebrate together at Van-couver’s annual We Day event.

“You can’t buy tickets to We Day you have to get them through doing something and making a change in the world like raising money or through service,” Ther-iault said.

This year’s roster of We Day speakers included Canadian Astronaut Chris Hadfield and actress Marlee Matlin, according to We Day’s website.

Theriault is a member of her school’s We Team and partici-pates in a variety of fundraising campaigns.

“I have a really amazing teacher, her name is Ms. Morris and she really likes fundraising,” she said.

She said a book her class read last year also inspired her.

“We read a book called A Long Walk to Water, it’s about the war in Sudan and a girl called Nya who really inspired me…She walked a really long way everyday to get water and then when she brought the water home her sister drank it and got very ill because it wasn’t good water,” she said.

She added water is heavy and not easy to carry.

With this inspiration behind her, she walked from her home to the Cox Bay Visitor Centre then to Incinerator Rock and along Long Beach to the Kwisitis Visitors Centre before heading up Wick Road to the junction and taking Ucluelet’s bike path for the rest of the way.

“My parents were really sup-portive, my dad walked the whole

way with me,” she said adding, “My mom was an amazing sup-port crew.”

She said various friends and supporters joined her for stretch-es of her journey and Tofino’s Sobo restaurant brought food to keep her nourished and moving forward.

“Everyone was so supportive, I’m really happy about that,” she said.

“It was all so nice to have every-one walking with us. It made it really fun and rewarding.”

Theriault’s fundraising started with her collecting pledges and donations in a jar and she then struck up a GoFundMe campaign online and turned to social media for additional support.

“I’ve raised over $2,000 through social media and raised about $1,500 through pledges,” she said. “Social media is everywhere,

everyone has social media so as soon as it was on social media everyone knew and everyone was really supportive.”

She added locals don’t need to wait for a fundraiser to land in their backyard to support those in need.

“You don’t have to have some-body in your town doing a fund-raiser, you can donate by yourself online,” she said. “There are so many online campaigns.”

She added her We School’s efforts also support locals and cited a Halloween Food Drive the students launched to help their local food bank.

“We Day isn’t just about people from other countries that you want to help, We Day is for every-one who needs it,” she said. “Even in Tofino there’s people who don’t have enough money and are really hungry.”

She said she was exhausted after her walk and very sore the next day but she plans to do it again next year.

“It was totally worth it. I really want to do this again next year,” she said.

“It was really fun and I raised a lot of money. I’m just going to do it for different causes.”

She added the walk made her realize how lucky locals are to have cars.

“We should think more about how lucky we are,” she said. “Cars take you so far so fast and you should be really thankful for hav-ing one if you do.”

More information about We Day can be found at www.weday.com and more information about Free the Children can be found at www.freethechildren.com.

[email protected]

We Day inspires Tuff girl’s Walk to Change


The Pacific Rim National Park is back in the running for the West Coast’s marquee marathon event.

The Park is in preliminary talks with Ucluelet about putting Long Beach back in the Edge-to-Edge Marathon’s race route and the two parties are expected to hash out an agreement in time for 2016’s run, according to Park spokesperson Kiri Westnedge.

“Over the coming months we will work with race organizers and the district of Ucluelet to formalize an agreement and to identify a race route that offers a fabulous experi-ence for runners while respecting the ecological values of the park reserve,” she said.

The Park was once a prominent Edge-to-Edge feature but was removed in 2014 when the Tofino to Ucluelet race was adjusted into a Ucluelet-only course.

Westnedge said the Park is excited to get back in.

“The Edge-to-Edge Marathon is an excellent way for runners and spectators to experience the out-standing natural beauty of Pacific Rim National Park Reserve,” she said.

“The event showcases the Park Reserve and region as a destination for people looking to connect with nature and enjoy an active lifestyle.”

She touted Long Beach as an excellent setting for runners to enjoy.

“Long stretches of hard packed, silver sand, the ocean breeze, waves crashing nearby, and the earthy smell of the encroaching rainforest provide a unique running experi-ence and an incredible way to con-nect with one of Canada’s natural places,” she said.

“The Edge-to-Edge Marathon is a unique adventure race, and Pacific Rim National Park Reserve provides

the spectacular scenic backdrop. Runners won’t notice the kilometres roll by as they take in the natural splendour of Pacific Rim National Park Reserve’s wild coastline.”

Ucluelet chamber of commerce executive director Sally Mole said the Park’s excitement is shared by both the marathon’s race committee and marathoners who have missed putting their feet in the sand.

“We did hear from some runners that they liked the run on the beach so we wanted to incorporate some beach time,” she said.

She suggested marathon runners would start at Long Beach and head towards Ucluelet and the Wild Pacific Trail.

“We’d only have a couple of kilo-metres on the highway before we hit the bike path and then we can deke out onto the Wild Pacific Trail so it should be a safe route and a fun route,” she said.

“You get beach, a little bit of bike

path and then the trail.”She said Ucluelet also had talks

with Tofino about spreading the event across both towns again but the idea was ultimately crossed out.

“We had some preliminary discus-sions about that. It was not logistic-ally feasible and it remains logistic-ally unfeasible,” she said.

She said the costs associated with incorporating both towns, along with dangerous stretches of Pacif-ic Rim Highway, make including Tofino a costly venture.

“There’s a section of the road that would require some pretty serious safety precautions,” she said adding additional buses and Porta-potties would be needed. “It just adds to the expense of the race.”

Last year’s marathon cost about $25,000 to run, according to Mole.

Changing the course into a Ucluelet-only affair in 2014 cost the marathon its status as a Boston Marathon qualifier but Mole said

the race society is not itching to bring that status back.

“People that want to qualify for Boston want to do an easy race. This is not an easy race,” she said.

“No hardcore runner is using it for a qualifier because they just can’t get the time so I don’t see that being a factor at all and I don’t think there’s a will from the committee to bring that back.”

She noted the marathon brings a valuable activity-surge to local businesses and showcases the region as an attractive vacation destination.

“We see a lot of repeat customers but that being said we see some new ones that come in and those people come back because they experience the West Coast feel and they love it and it’s a great family destination so they bring their fam-ilies back,” she said.

[email protected]

Tofino remains out of the running for marathonEdge-to-Edge heading back to the beach

11-year-old Tofino local Toby Theriault, centre holding sign, walked from Tofino to Ucluelet last week to raise money and awareness for children around the world who are living without access to clean water.

ANDREW BAILEY PHOTO

| The Westerly News Wednesday, November 25, 2015Page 12 | The Westerly News Wednesday, November 25, 2015

25 WEDNESDAYSeniors Social Afternoons, 1:30-4 p.m., Tofino Legion. St. Columba Church, 7 p.m. 26 THURSDAYHealthy Babies Program/Family Ties, 10:30 a.m, UCC. Ucluelet AA 8 p.m. Holy Family Church, Peninsula Rd.The Edge Youth Room, 3–6p.m., UCC.Know Before You Go, Mak-ing Better Decisions in Avalanche Terrain, Colin Zacharias, Raincoast Educa-tion Society Speaker Series. 7:30pm, Tofino Botanical Gardens.27 FRIDAYMIDNIGHT MADNESS! Local shops will hold special deals for Ucluelet to get its Christmas shopping on.

Bingo, Tofino Legion, 7:30 p.m.Arty Party, 9-11 p.m., Com-mon Loaf Bake Shop Tofino. The Edge Youth Room, 2–6p.m.UCC.

28 SATURDAYSt. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 5:30 p.m. AA meeting, 7:30pm, St. Fran-cis, Tofino.

29 SUNDAYChrist Community Church,10:30am, 1419 Peninsula Rd.Ucluelet.Grace Bible Church, 10:30am, UCC.Holy Family Church–10 a.m. St. Lawrence Church, 11:00 a.m. Ahousaht.St. Columba Church, 10:30 a.m

United/Anglican Service, 4 p.m. UCC. Tofino Bible Fellowship, 10:30 a.m. Tofino Legion.

30 MONDAYUcluelet AA, 8pm. Holy Family.

1 TUESDAYHealthy Babies Program/Family Ties, 10:30am. Coastal Family Place, UCC. The Edge Youth Room, 3–6pm, UCC.Youth night, 7-9pm, Tofino Legion.Youth night ANAF Ucluelet. AA meeting, 7:30pm, St. Fran-cis Church, 441 Main, Tofino.St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 5 p.m.

Community CalendarTo put your event in our Community Calendar email us at [email protected] or call 250-726-7029

The Westerly News | Wednesday, November 25, 2015 Wed, Nov 25, 2015 Ucluelet Western News A13

District Sales RepresentativeTofi no & Ucluelet

The BC division of Gordon Food Service proudly delivers the highest-

quality food-service products and services to our customers. We're one

of Canada's largest family-owned food distributors, thanks in large

part to our innovative systems and the spirit and integrity of our staff.

We invite you to advance your career with us as a:

Are you a sales and marketing pro with a talent for converting prospects and closing deals? We need your skills! Hit all your favourite food outlets and explore new ones as you travel to meet one-on-one with clients and potential clients in the independent restaurant and food services business. You'll source new clients, determine their needs and provide them with fi rst-class customer service–all while meeting your business targets.

Along with a post-secondary sales or marketing education, you have over 2 years' sales experience (preferably in the food distribution business) and the communication, negotiation, organization and analytical skills to do your job well.

Get full details and apply online at gfs.ca/careers.

Gordon Food Service is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

INFORMATION

CANADA BENEFIT Group - Do you or someone you know suffer from a disability? Get up to $40,000 from the Canadian Government. Toll-free 1-888-511-2250 or www.canada-benefi t.ca/free-assessment

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES


INFORMATION

TRAVEL

TIMESHARE

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


TRAVEL

TRAVEL

SAVE 30% on our Greenland and Wild Labrador Voyage un-til December 18, 2015 - See Labrador as it was meant to be seen - By Sea - Aboard the comfortable Ocean Endea-vour. No extra charge for sin-gles! Quote community news-papers! Call tollfree: 1-800-363-7566 or visit us online: www.adventurecanada.com. (TICO # 04001400).

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

GET FREE vending machines can earn $100,000 + per year. All cash-locations provided. Protected territories. Interest free fi nancing. Full details call now 1-866-668-6629 website www.tcvend.com.

HIP OR knee replacement? Arthritic Conditions/COPD? Restrictions in walking/dress-ing? Disability tax credit $2,000 tax credit $20,000 re-fund. Apply today for assis-tance: 1-844-453-5372.



MEDICAL TRANSCRIPTION! In-demand career! Employers have work-at-home positions available. Get online training you need from an employer-trusted program. Visit: Care-erStep.ca/MT or 1-855-768-3362 to start training for your work-at-home career today!

EDUCATION/TRADE SCHOOLS

START A new career in Graphic Arts, Healthcare, Business, Education or Infor-mation Tech. If you have a GED, call: 855-670-9765

MEDICAL/DENTAL

HUGE DEMAND for Medical Transcriptionists! CanScribe is Canada’s top Medical Tran-scription training school. Learn from home and work from home. Call today! 1-800-466-1535. www.canscribe.com or [email protected]

TRADES, TECHNICAL

WATKIN MOTORS Ford, Ver-non, B.C. immediately requires an experienced Ford Diesel Technician. Go to watkinmo-tors.com About us, Employ-ment, to apply and review re-quired qualifi cations.

HOME/BUSINESS SERVICES

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

LARGE FUNDBorrowers Wanted

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

Call Anytime1-800-639-2274 or

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

NEED A loan? Own property? Have bad credit? We can help! Call toll free 1-866-405-1228 fi rstandsecondmortgages.ca

COUNSELLING

IF YOU want to drink, that’s your business. If you want to stop, we can help. Alcoholics Anonymous, Ucluelet/Tofi no 1-800-883-3968.

PLUMBING

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

MERCHANDISE FOR SALE

AUCTIONS

BUD HAYNES Ward’s Fire-arms Auction. Saturday, Dec.12, 10am, 11802 - 145 St., Ed-monton. Estate John V. Abreyof Coaldale, Alberta. Collec-tion fi rearms, rare RCMPitems, 12 saddles, uniforms,memorabilia. Estate Elmer (Tom) Stehr of Swift Current,SK. Phone Linda 403-597-1095; Brad 1-780-451-4549;www.budhaynesauctions.com.www.wardsauctions.com.

MISCELLANEOUS FOR SALE

ROMANCE Your ChristmasLocal BC Adult Retailer

Shop Online Now & Receive 25% OFF! www.shagg.ca

RENTALS

HOMES FOR RENT

1-BDRM, 1 Bath, Ucluelet central location. W/D. NS/NP.1yr lease req’d. Terms nego-tiable. Call 1(250)889-8974 formore info.

SHARED ACCOMMODATION

Affordable, Convenient Living in downtown Beautiful, Natural

Qualicum Beach, BC.share totally re-modeled 3bdrm Rancher. Dogs wel-come. ✱Quality Living forany Family, Student or Retir-ee. Single, $575/each, all in-clusive. Call Barrie, 250-816-1946.

SUITES, LOWER

3 BDRM suite for rent inUcluelet, $850+ hydro. AvailDec 1. (604)849-1567.

SUITES, UPPER

FOR RENT large furnished suite at the Raven Lodge, cov-ered balcony, power included.$800. Call (250)724-0307,250-726-8229.

UPPER 1-BDRM + adjoiningroom deck, open concept liv-ing room, kitchen. Vaulted ceil-ings, skylights, laundry, woodstove and big yard. Rural area.$700/month, available Decem-ber. 250-726-1262.

AGREEMENTIt is agreed by any display or Classified Advertiser requesting space that the liability of the paper in the event of failure to publish an advertisement shall be limited to the amount paid by the advertiser for that portion of the advertising space occupied by the incorrect item only, and that there shall be no liability in any event beyond the amount paid for such advertisement. The publisher shall not be liable for slight changes or typographical errors that do not lessen the value of an advertisement.

Used.ca cannot be responsible for errors after the first day of publication of any advertisement. Notice of errors on the first day should immediately be called to the attention of the Classified Department to be corrected for the following edition.

Used.ca reserves the right to revise, edit, classify or reject any advertisement and to retain any answers directed to the Used.ca Box Reply Service and to repay the customer the sum paid for the advertisement and box rental.

DISCRIMINATORYLEGISLATIONAdvertisers are reminded that Provincial legislation forbids the publication of any advertisement which discriminates against any person because of race, religion, sex, color, nationality, ancestry or place of origin, or age, unless the condition is justified by a bona fide requirement for the work involved.

COPYRIGHTCopyright and/or properties subsist in all advertisements and in all other material appearing in this edition of Used.ca. Permission to reproduce wholly or in part and in any form whatsoever, particularly by a photographic or offset process in a publication must be obtained in writing from the publisher. Any unauthorized reproduction will be subject to recourse in law.

ON THE WEB:

INDEX IN BRIEFFAMILY ANNOUNCEMENTS


TRAVEL

EMPLOYMENT

BUSINESS SERVICES

PETS & LIVESTOCK

MERCHANDISE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE

RENTALS

AUTOMOTIVE

ADULT ENTERTAINMENT

LEGAL NOTICES

To advertise in print:Call: 1-855-310-3535 Email: classifi [email protected]: blackpressused.ca Career ads: localworkbc.ca

Browse more at:

A division of

$30GET IT RENTED!BUY ONE WEEK, GET SECOND WEEK FREE!*

SELL IT IN 3 OR IT RUNS FOR FREE!*

*Private party only, cannot be combined with other discounts.

Place your private party automotive ad with us in your community paper for the next 3 weeks for only $30. If your vehicle does not sell, call us and we'll run it again at NO CHARGE!

blackpressused.caL O C A Lprint online

fi l here please

RECYCLE THIS NEWSPAPER

protect our

planet...


Mackey told the Westerly the sanctuary receives a lot of wild-life related calls but few like McCurdy’s.

“I’ve learned in my years doing this that you get some very inter-esting phone calls,” she said. “Most people don’t go to that extent to help wildlife so it’s awe-some when we hear of people like this.”

She added McCurdy likely saved the fulmar’s life.

“If they’re struggling in the water, they can struggle to the point of exhaustion and they can die from that so it was awesome that he was able to get that guy out,” she said.

McCurdy said he swam about 100 metres to the bird and brought it back to the aquarium, where it was toweled off and placed in a ventilated box to rest.

“It was actually pretty simple,” he said. “He was definitely very tired when I got up to him. He, kind of, eyed me up and I eyed him up before I grabbed him but he didn’t really struggle too much.”

The fulmar spent the night with aquarium curator Laura Grif-fith-Cochrane and was released the following morning.

“He was looking pretty good in

the morning when we let him go,” McCurdy said.

He downplayed his heroics. “I wanted to help him out. It

looked like he was having trouble and I figured I could help so why not? It wasn’t a big deal for me to get out there and get him,” he said.

“I’m glad I could help him out but it was a simple thing for me to do to get him out of there and give him another chance.”

He encourages anyone who sees an animal in trouble to contact the aquarium at 250-726-2782 or [email protected].

“They’re welcome to call us up to ask questions about it and we can either help out with what’s going on or at least direct them to the proper organizations,” he said.

Mackey said she usually encour-ages people to bring animals into the bird rehab centre in Errington but acknowledged that while it is the closest centre to the West Coast, the commute is tough for West Coasters to make.

“We don’t have staff or volun-teers in that area so we really have to rely on people to call us,” she said. “People can call with questions or problems and we’ll try and help them out.”

The centre can be reached at

250-248-1274. Fulmars are small birds meas-

uring roughly 50-centimetres-long and Mackay said, like most sea-birds, they are rarely seen from the shore.

“We don’t see a lot of them but

generally we do get calls about that type of bird after windstorms when they’ve been blown off course,” she said.

“We’ll get calls from the Tofino area from people who have found seabirds on shore after a storm.

Usually they’re not injured, they’ve just been blown onto shore and a lot of those birds can’t physically take off from land.”

[email protected]

BIRD RESCUED, continued from page 1

Note: This is part two of Julius Smol-der’s Lest We Forget series for the Westerly News. In part one, which appeared in the Westerly’s Nov. 18 issue, Smolders delved into his father’s history; now he shares his mother’s route to Canada.

JULIUS SMOLDERSLocal Voice

“Opa” had bought a farm, sight unseen, in the Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia.

It was the mid-1930s near Amsterdam, the Netherlands. There was more than just beer brewing in Europe. Once again, tensions were high among neigh-bouring countries, war was in the air. Opa believed he had three choices for his family: South Africa - but they too, appeared to have tensions of their own brew-ing; Australia - but that was on the other side of the world; and Canada. Canada offered freedom, hope, and opportunity. The choice became clear and Opa signed the papers to purchase a farm, sight unseen, in Aylesford, Nova Scotia, Canada.

It was 3rd of May, 1938, when Opa, Oma and their seven chil-dren departed Rotterdam for the Trans Atlantic voyage aboard a CP Steamships Line passenger vessel to Montreal, Canada. Each carried one suitcase of belong-ings, Opa and Oma having two suitcases each. The ship arrived

in the Port of Montreal on May 15, 1938, after a twelve-day voyage across the Atlantic and up the St. Lawrence River. Having cleared customs, they made their way to the Moreau Street Station where they could find the train that runs from Montreal to Halifax.

The train itself was reasonably comfortable for their journey, and certainly not crowed by European standards. It would depart ear-ly, rolling throughout that day and night, arriving in Halifax on the following afternoon. Pulling out of Montreal, their hopes and dreams mixed with anticipation and apprehension.

As the train proceeded east-ward, it passed through farmland, then forests, and then wilderness. Travelling across the largely undeveloped countryside of east-ern Canada, dotted only with the occasional church spire and small town, Opa had never seen such vast expanses of landscape. He began to worry; “Oh my goodness” he thought. “What have I done?” He feared his farm may simply be a tract of land somewhere in the wilderness of Nova Scotia.

The farm in Aylesford was a mix of apple orchard, fields of vegetables, and a few dairy cows. The trip between the Annapolis Valley and the markets of Halifax was a four-hour road trip in the farm truck, each way. In time, they

became self sufficient. At some point between 1939 and 1942, there was a large fire. The farm-house was destroyed and then rebuilt. If nothing else, Dutch farmers were tenacious and hard working.

As a young boy, the youngest of five, I was keenly aware of the circumstances of how my mother and father met. At the age of 22, ‘Annie’ as she was known, had moved to Halifax with her older sister, having secured a position as store clerk at Woolworth’s. Annie and her sister Grete were walking arm-in-arm down Bar-rington Street one spring after-noon, when she suddenly slipped on a discarded banana peel, falling backward. Now there just so happened to be two young Belgian sailors who were walking along behind. As Annie slipped and fell, she was caught up in the arms of one of those Belgian sail-ors, my father, Albert.

Holding her secure in his arms, he looked into her eyes; it was love at first sight. That is their story, and I’m sticking to it.

Albert visited the farm, met the family, and began his court-ship. On July 17, 1943, Annie and Albert were married. A few short weeks after their wedding, at the entrance of the brick-lined ped-estrian tunnel that passed under the railway tracks, leading to the

Halifax waterfront, Annie said good bye to her husband. He was re-joining his ship, the SS LEO-POLDVILLE, returning to England and the war.

The wars years progressed and several of the older boys joined the Canadian Army to serve in some capacity, though I don’t know to what extent. Uncle Max, old enough to drive the farm truck yet too young to enlist, stayed home to help run the farm. Annie settled into an apartment on South Park Street, waiting for her husband to return. He was one of the lucky ones; on Feb 15, 1945, Albert returned ‘home’ to Canada

After the war, my mother and

father settled in Rockingham, on the outskirts of Halifax, where they raised five children in their one and only family home. As new Canadians, they had a good life enjoying the freedoms they had fought for. This great country of ours provided refuge, freedom and opportunity to my immigrant parents. My mother passed away from a sudden illness in 1965, just one week prior to her 46th birthday. The rest, as they say, is history.

Lest we forget.

Julius Smolders is a Ucluelet local.

Lest We Forget Chapter 2: Opa’s journey

CATHY PARSONS PHOTO This little fulmar would likely have drowned if Ucluelet local Andrew McCurdy hadn’t dove in to save it.

Julius Smolders’ mother Annie used this passport to travel from the Netherlands and start a new life in Canada in 1938.

ANDREW BAILEY PHOTO


NORA O’MALLEY Westerly News

There was a pickleball open house at the Tofino Commun-ity Hall this Saturday, Nov. 21, to celebrate RBC Sports Day in Canada – a nationwide event that encourages Canadians to get out and play.

Tofino retiree Duncan Speight has been playing the easy-going racquet sport with his wife, Betty Wilson, since June. He says he enjoys it both for the cardio and the social aspect.

“I find after an hour to an hour-and-a-half of playing this, you’ve had a good little workout. You’re breathing and your heart rate is up,” said Speight.

Pickleball blends the rules of tennis and badminton, and the instruments of play include an oversized table tennis racket, a wiffle ball, and a lowered bad-minton net. Originally invented in the summer of 1965 by Joel Pritchard from Washington state, pickleball is easy to learn and easy on the body, making it especially popular with the baby booming generation.

“The wife of the guy who invented the game, she made some comment about it looking like a pickle boat coming and that’s how they named it,” said Donna Fraser, one of the pickle-ball try-it day event organizers. “A lot of people just can’t play ten-nis anymore because their knees can’t take it, so it’s a smaller game, but still lots of fun ‘cause

it’s very social,” she said.With laughter being the notable

outcome after each rally, it’s plain to see why Fraser and Speight are hooked on the convivial pastime.

Still, while it might come with a whimsical name and friendly inclination, competitive prowess is not completely outlawed on the pickleball court.

“The sport is evolving. People are getting a lot better. Initially, people were just trying to hit it over the net, but as you are able to do that, now you’re starting to put top spin and under spin,” said Tofino local and avid pickleball

player Gurmail Aujla.The Tofino Pickleball Club

meets four times a week. Sat-urday and Monday, 9-11 a.m. at the Tofino Community Hall; Thursday 6-8 p.m. at the Tofino Community Hall; and Tuesday 5:15-7 p.m. at Wickaninnish Community School. All ages are welcome and equipment is provided.

For more information, contact Gurmail: [email protected].

[email protected]

Tofino has a ball at Pickleball ‘Try It Day’

NORA O’MALLEY PHOTOS

Tofino celebrated Canada’s national Sports Day by hosting a pickleball open house at the Community Hall on Nov. 21.

1576 Imperial Lane,UCLUELET (250) 726-2103

COMFORTFOODFOR EVERY MOOD

NOW SERVING TWO RIVERS MEATS!

OPEN 7DAYS A WEEK

11 to 11

FREE DELIVERY After 5pm on orders over $21

250-725-2121TOFINO

Weekdays 10-5:30 • Saturdays 10-5

Buy One Item & Receive the 2nd at 50% OFF

(Equal or lesser value)

Light Up The NightFRI. NOV 27TH - OPEN TIL 8PM

(Refreshments from 5-8pm)

“Shop the neighbourhood”SAT. NOV 28TH 10AM-5PM

Tel: (250) 723-0966 www.boutiquebellesamies.ca5344 Argyle Street, Port Alberni, B.C. V9Y 1T8

7310

705

• RESIDENTIAL ONLY• UCLUELET • TOFINO• SALMON BEACH• ASPHALT/FIBERGLASS LAM. SHINGLES• METAL CLADDING variety of colours & shapes• CEMENT & CLAY ROOF TILES• SKYLIGHTS & SUNTUBES

KRIS’S ROOFING

• REPAIRS • REROOFING• NEW CONSTRUCTION

FREE ESTIMATES

Kris Wieteska250-726-5107

Ucluelet, BC

SINCE 1986

7120473

Classic StoneCountertops

Alberni/West Coast 250-731-7530 George Arbanas

• Granite• Marble• Laminate• Fabrication• Installation

7120

492

DR GORDON COSTIGANTOFINO AND UCLUELET’S

LOCAL OPTOMETRIST381 Main Street Tofi no

Make An Appointment Today250 266 3937

[email protected] 7120

344B

usin

ess S

ho

wca

se

7127877


LUCIA LYONSLocal VoiceThe Ucluelet Senior Girls’ vol-

leyball team travelled to Duncan last weekend to participate in the Single “A” Volleyball Island Championship.

There were 10 teams from all over the Island participating in the tournament. Friday’s round robin had us, playing against Duncan Christian, Bro-deur, Queen Margaret, and Port Hardy. At the end of the round robin, we had won against Bro-deur, Queen Margaret, and Port Hardy with just one loss against Duncan Christian, placing us 2nd below Duncan. In the playoff on Saturday, our 1st match was against Chemainus. We had

beaten them earlier in the year and were hoping we would be able to get by them easily. Not the case, the game went to a 3rd set where we squeaked a 17-15 win. Too close! However, this placed us in the top 4.

Our next game was against Aspengrove, the 1st place team in Pool B. We played them twice this year and we lost both times. So, going into the match we were a little nervous. This game also went to a 3rd match, where we were able to squeak the win 15-13. Again much too close! After winning this match we knew that we were going to the Provincials, as the top 2 teams were automatically in. So,

when we won the game against Aspengrove there were a lot of tears (of joy), and as the coach, I must admit that they were com-ing from me too!! Tournament All-Stars were Megan Fortune, and Laterra Lawson.

After 6 years of coaching, I must say we finally “made it” to the “Big Show” and I couldn’t be happier for the girls, as they worked very hard this year to make it their year to shine. I am so proud to be their coach. So, next stop Provincials, being held in Castlegar – wish us luck!!!

Lucia Lyons is the coach of the USS Girls’ volleyball team.

V-Ball girls reach ‘Big Show’

USS’ senior girls volleyball team is heading to the provincials. PHOTO SUBMITTED

Tofino-Ucluelet Westerly News, November 25, 2015

Documents

Transcript of Tofino-Ucluelet Westerly News, November 25, 2015