june 04, 2013

Downtown Comox is a wonderful destination with a wide range of services, unique shops, and enticing restaurants, cafes and pubs for all to enjoy. There is also a stunning golf course, beautiful parks and gardens and spectacular beaches only minutes away.

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2 TUESDAY, JUNE 4, 2013 • COMOX VALLEY RECORD COMOX BY THE SEA www.comoxvalleyrecord.com

Downtown Comox is an amazing destina-tion. Well, I may be biased but I like to think of downtown Comox rather like an all in-clusive resort — we have it all happening in one place! Can you think of another down-town you can comfortably dine in an array

of excellent restaurants, shop either your choice of the main street or mall, visit the doctor, get a massage, play golf, buy fresh seafood right

at the wharf , stroll the marina, tour the Art Gallery, pick up a loaf of fresh baked artisan bread, rent a paddleboard or bike AND � nd parking? Yes, this is the downtown of Comox. And, that’s why our theme for the ad in this issue of Comox by the Sea asks you to experi-ence downtown Comox, where life is good! With all the activities, shops and services ... life is good in our downtown, that is for sure!

Not only do we have 3 marinas and a golf course, we are a town full of great shops and services where the business people remember your name and want you to know theirs! From Frank at My Tech Guys who will pro-vide a complimentary 5 minute inspection of your laptop on his in-store diagnostic table

to Tim at the Medicine Shoppe who is now carrying the best selection of knee braces for weekend warriors, to Pam at Planet Kids who is the guru of toys and kids’ clothes, we are a

beehive of friendly, helpful folks! But don’t take my word for it, come and check us out for yourself.

Anytime is a good time in Comox but here are some dates to remember: June 6-16 is the Shell� sh

Festival, and we’ll be hosting a big sidewalk sale during Nautical Days and Filberg Festival weekend August 3-5!

And watch for details on how to enter our big draw to win a Skippered overnight sailing trip for 2! Check us out online at comox-bythesea.com.

On behalf of the Board of Comox by the Sea, have a wonderful summer and we look forward to seeing you downtown!

Valerie PorteousPresident, Comox BIA

Publisher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Joanna Ross

Feature editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mark Allan

Photographers and writers . . . . . . . . . . Mark Allan, Erin Haluschak,

Tanja Kerr, Scott Stan� eld, Renee Andor, Earle Couper

Of� ce . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250-338-5811

Fax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250-338-5568

Mailing Address:

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E-mail: [email protected]

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COMOX VALLEY

RECORD

Life is good in Comox

THE NEW COMOX BUSINESS IN ACTION board of directors includes (from left) Vaughn Smith, Curves; Edd Moyes, Blackfin Pub; Simon Morgan, Coastal Community Credit Union; Ken Grant, Town of Comox; Glenn Wills, Wills Marine and Marcus Aartsen, Martine’s. Holly Grant, Comox by the Sea co-ordinator, is at far right. Not in the photo are Valerie Porteous, Roxanne’s; Tracy McGinnis, Blinds and Bubble Boutique; Frank Biermann, My Tech Guys; Steve Elman, Jan’s Travel; Heather Kerr, Island Treasures and Nancy Davie, Faron Hair. PHOTO BY TOM GRANT

Valerie Porteous

A MESSAGEFROM THE

COMOX BIA

ERIN HALUSCHAKRecord Staff

With music on street corners and new acts on the stage, the Town of Comox will be abuzz on the B.C. Day long weekend as Nautical Days offers a mix of fi rst-time performers and classic acts.

Festival producer/commit-tee chair Susan Wood said she has been working closely with Comox Business in Action to include more of the town into the festival.

“We will have music on Comox Avenue and on street corners to spread ourselves and really bring the town together,” she explained. “We have put new people on the main stage and the three festivals (Filberg Festival and

the K’ómoks First Nation Night Market) are working jointly to cross-promote each festival.”

Wood noted the festival is entering its 55th year, and a goal in planning the programming was to include fresh faces along with clas-sics.

“Elvis returns,” she prom-ised. “From rock and roll, to big bands, from balladeers to iconic impersonators — from clowns to children’s perform-ers — we’ve got them all at the festival this year.”

Wood looks forward to hearing new performances from the Naden Band, the Royal Canadian Naval Band on the main stage Saturday, which will have 30 to 35 musicians.

In addition to musical acts, Wood explained there is a new Nautical Days festival prize package, donated by the Comox BIA.

Entry to the draws are free and names can be entered at the festival site at Marina Park.

There will be nearly 100 craft booths as well to pro-vide patrons with the oppor-tunity to buy one-of-a-kind works, including jewelry, painters, woodworking and crafts.

Town of Comox coun-cil members will also join the festivities, said Wood, and will work as MCs and support the festival in the info booth throughout the weekend.

The Festival of Lights

Fireworks Extravaganza by Quality Foods will return on Monday around 10:15 p.m. Other favourite events such

as the Build Bail and Sail and the Bull Head Derby will return as well.

For more information, a

list of entertainment, events and activities, visit www.comoxnauticaldays.ca. ❖

[email protected]

www.comoxvalleyrecord.com COMOX BY THE SEA COMOX VALLEY RECORD • TUESDAY, JUNE 4, 2013 3

THE NADEN BAND will be something new during the 55th annual nautical Days festival this August.

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First Night Marketset Aug. 2, 3 at I-Hos Gallery

Erin HaluscHakRecord Staff

Find yourself in Comox on the B.C. Day long week-end and you find the town filled with festivals of all kind, but Ramona Johnson is ensuring there’s something for everyone — day and night.

Johnson is the manager of I-Hos Gallery near Comox, and is co-ordinating its very first Night Market Aug. 3 and 4, bringing together crafters and artisans to celebrate the culture of the K’ómoks First Nation.

“Last year, I went to the Filberg Festival after work, and discovered it was closed at 6 p.m.,” she said. “At Nautical Days, the vendors are closed (in the evenings).

That’s how the idea came about.”

Johnson said she is hoping to catch the eye of patrons to both festivals as

they enter and exit Comox on Comox Road.

The market will be open from 4 to 9 p.m. on both days, and Johnson is working together with co-ordinators of the Filberg Festival and Nautical Days to cross-pro-mote all three festivals.

“The gallery will be open, and there will artisans, crafts and food,” she added, and said she is hoping to offer various workshops including drums and dreamcatchers.

Some of the food vendors include Cory Frank offer-ing tradition barbecued or smoked salmon, and the Kumugwe Dancers selling lemonade.

Follow the gallery on Facebook or call 250-335-7702. ❖

[email protected]

I-Hos Gallery manaGer ramona Johnson is organiz-ing the first night market on aug. 3 and 4, which will aug-ment the Filberg Festival and nautical Days.

www.comoxvalleyrecord.com Comox by the Sea COMOX VALLEY RECORD • TUESDAY, JUNE 4, 2013 5

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CAFFE AMANTES OWNERS Karin and Dion Usipuik are pictured with their children (from left: Shayna, Evan and Tianna).

SCOTT STANFIELD Record Staff

It’s a family affair at Caffe Amantes, which tries — and succeeds — in being the place to meet in downtown Comox.

Cafe owners Karin and Dion Usipuik see plenty of regular customers walking through the doors of the Comox Avenue cafe, some visiting on a daily basis. Many are greeted by name.

“We love this aspect of our business,” said Karin, who also works as a real estate agent. “We love being able to start their drink before they even order because we’ve memo-rized it. There is nothing more rewarding in business than a happy customer.”

The couple is assisted at the shop by eldest daughter Tianna. Their two youngest chil-dren, Shayna and Evan, “just enjoy the free drinks and frozen yogurt.”

Karin and Dion have owned the business for three years but the cafe has been operating since 2003.

Aside from coffees, blended espresso drinks and smoothies, the café serves an assortment of lunch and dessert items.

“Our specialty is de� nitely our espresso,” Karin said, noting the use of locally roasted organic beans. “Not only is our coffee local, but our baking is also locally sourced. We

really try to support our local economy in any way we can.”

The café serves a variety of baked goods and offers gluten-free and vegan options. The lunch menu consists of assorted sandwiches, paninis, soups, chili, lasagna and more. Des-sert options include cheesecake, lemon squares, brownies and ‘to die for’ carrot cake with cream cheese icing.

Another aspect of the business is the Is-land berry yogurt, which has returned after an eight-month hiatus when the yogurt machine was out of service.

“We have had so many sad customers through the time it was not available,” Karin said.

The cafe is cozy and inviting, offering comfortable leather chairs for a romantic date night over a latte and cheesecake. More formal seating is also available for a daytime business meeting.

Karen and Dion are willing to open after hours to host special events or group functions. The couple also loves to donate to charity events and school functions. Recently, the business donated to the Curves fashion show for breast cancer, and the 4R’s Educa-tion Society.

Caffe Amantes is located at 1761 Comox Ave. Call 250-339-9775. ❖

[email protected]

The Comox café where everyone knows your name


ROXANNE’S FASHIONS OWNER Valerie Porteous now offers a selection of seasonal sandals, hats and handbags alongside a wide array of women’s clothing. Porteous also opened a clearance store across from Roxanne’s in the Comox Centre Mall. PHOTO BY RENEE ANDOR

Clothespriced to clear

RENEE ANDORRecord Staff

Seasonal sandals, hats and handbags are a few of the new items Roxanne’s Fashions offers its customers — plus the store now has a clearance section open across the hall of the Comox Centre Mall.

Roxanne’s owner Valerie Porteous notes everything in Roxanne’s Clearance Centre is marked down 40 to 70 per cent. The main store still fea-tures some sale items as Por-teous has a strict policy about moving product through and starts marking items down after 30 days.

Porteous adds the main store now has a stronger focus on trending styles.

Opening Roxanne’s Clearance Centre “really sort of cleared up and cleaned up the ambience of this store,” she explains during a tour of her main store. “So we have mostly what’s new

and what’s fresh on this side and it allowed me to bring in some new categories and lines.”

Roxanne’s now offers vibrantly-coloured Grandco sandals and � ip-� ops, Keds tennis shoes and Isotoner ca-bana slippers and traditional slippers.

Porteous also brought in a wide array of seasonal hats, some of which are crushable for packing purposes. Hand-bags, jewelry, swimwear, yoga shapewear, yoga bras, and leggings and sleepwear are some of the other items she offers.

Meanwhile, the extra space also allowed Porte-ous to bring in some more clothing lines. Dunes is a line from Mexico featuring 100-per-cent pre-shrunk cotton dresses and tunics. Porteous notes the colours are really bright and fun for summer, and her customers are “just loving it.”

She also started carrying

Conrad C, which she notes is a high-end line of clothing. She brought in a handful of styles to see how her custom-ers liked it, and because it’s � ying off the racks, she will soon have more Conrad C styles on offer.

Porteous notes she still carries the same selection of product from her tried and true lines like those by Nygard International — Peter Nygard, Bianca Nygard, Alia and TanJay.

As well, Roxanne’s monthly newsletter, which is available electronically or by mail, lists various events and promotions coming up at the store, including everything from fashion shows to blue jean � t clinics.

Roxanne’s is located in the Comox Centre Mall at 194N Port Augusta St. For more information, call 250-339-6133, visit www.roxannes-fashions.com or check out its page on Facebook. ❖

[email protected]

JULY 4 ...........IMPOSSIBLE BIRDThey closed our concert series last year by getting our audience up and dancing and we are very excited to have them back as our � rst guests for the season! They perform an absolutely stellar combination of upbeat alt-folk that’s mesmerizing and radiates talent. www.impossiblebird.com

JULY 18 .........DAVID NEWBERRYHis 2010 CD established Newberry as a legitimate force in Ca-nadian music, catching the eye of Juno winner David Francey, who calls him “absolutely brilliant...,” and EXCLAIM! Maga-zine, who pegged him as “an artist to watch,” and, “evidence that Canadian roots music is in good hands.”www.davidnewberry.ca

AUGUST 15 ...THE ABRAMSON SINGERSVancouver singer-songwriter Leah Abramson and her band The Abramson Singers with lush band arrangements and catchy melodies exploring new pop and indie rock with a � rm ground-ing in folk songwriting. www.leahabramson.com

AUGUST 27 ...MARC ATKINSON TRIOThe music of this virtuosic group is melodically captivating, sensually charged and ferociously, technically awe-inspiring. Embracing a lifetime of musical in� uences, Marc and the Trio garner international attention for its stunning compositions and extraordinary guitar dexterity. www.marcatkinson.com

Summer Concert Series

Join us this summer for the Summer Concert Series on the grounds of The Filberg Heritage Lodge & Park.

All Concert Ticket Holders are Eligible to enter a draw at the concerts for a chance to win an acoustic guitar courtesy of Long & McQuade

The Draw will be held at the � nal concert of the series.

TICKETS $15 PER CONCERT (CHILDREN 12 & UNDER - FREE)

Available Online, at the Filberg Gift Shop (fri-sun 11-4), Blue Heron Books, Long & McQuade, Laughing Oyster Books,

and Got It-Need It-Want It

Dine at the THE FILBERG TEA HOUSE For reservations: 250-339-0747

WWW.FILBERG.COM

Thursday Evenings 7-9pm


Fine food, � ne music, � ne art at Martine’s BistroSCOTT STANFIELD Record Staff

The halibut was pan-seared to perfection, nestled atop a bed of basil risotto with a side of carrots, red pepper, zucchini and green beans.

It was my entrée of choice at Mar-tine’s Bistro, a Comox dining experience not to be missed.

My dinner guest feasted on wild salmon with avocado and brie, quinoa and salad in a blueberry vinaigrette dressing.

On this particular Sunday, the daily

special appetizer was fresh-steamed Cortes Island clams, but we opted to start with steamed mussels garnished with leeks and garlic in a wonderful white cream sauce. Our excellent waiter, Marc Lemonnier, assured us our choice was a wise one. He was correct.

I also trusted his recommendations for wine — a white Chilean chardon-nay to accompany the halibut — and for dessert — White Belgian Chocolate Crème Brule. Served in an S-curved olive dish, the latter is the most popular dessert at Martine’s, says owner Marcus Aartsen.

After running a restaurant in White Rock, the Holland-born Aartsen opened Martine’s about a decade ago after rebuilding the old Pythian Hall.

“A lot of people that grew up in this area know that hall,” Aartsen said. “The Pythian Sisters sold it to somebody who wanted to develop it but it was the wrong time and then basically I took it over as a tear-down building.”

After eight months of renovations, he opened Martine’s at the corner of Beau-fort Avenue and Nordin Street.

The menu offers a variety of fresh seafood and a range of dishes to suit all

250-339-5050

Meet the Medicine Shoppe Family

1782B Comox Avenue, Comox

I was born in Vancouver and I attended Vancouver Community College earning a diploma in structural drafting. After several years I re-tooled and in 2002 obtained my pharmacy technician diploma.

Lynn

Nicknamed Joey by my co-workers, I’m originally from the Prairies and attended Pharmacy at the U of S. I moved to Comox in 2003 and enjoy golf, cycling and yoga.

As the chief spokes-person for the Lifecycle group, he says cycling allows him to eat more cookies. Currently more cycling is needed as the cookies are winning.

I grew up in the Comox Valley and I’ve worked at the Medicine Shoppe since 2006. I enjoy running, cycling and cheering for the BC Lions.

After 11 years, I’m still the brains behind the entire operation. They keep me hidden in the back, but occasionally I’m let out to sweep fl oors or deliver paycheques. I enjoy styling Tim’s hair in my spare time.

In 1997 my family and I moved to the Comox Valley and since then I graduated from high school and I started working here at the Medicine Shoppe since Nov. 2000. I enjoy Taekwondo and Boxing in my free time.

I have been in the Comox Valley since 1972 & have worked with Tim since 1998. I love spending time with my husband, son & extended family. My job is front store manager. In my spare time I enjoy Taekwondo and Boxing

After 30 years as an R.N. at St. Joes (I started nursing at 10 years of age). I have changed jobs and have been at the Medicine Shoppe for 2 years. My hobbies are gardening, cake decorating, fl ower arranging and cycling with the Lifecycle.

I have worked at the Medicine Shoppe since 2006. My hobbies include knitting, camping, cheering for the Canucks and pestering Tim.

I was born and raised in the Comox Valley. I have been part of the Medicine Shoppe for more than 5 years and I enjoy watching and playing hockey.

I have lived in the Comox Valley for 18 years and I love it! We enjoy being on Vancouver Island where we are close to family.

When I was told I would be working with 14 women, this isn’t what I had in mind! When I’m not working with these lovely ladies I enjoy swimming, cycling and tennis.

I have lived in the Comox Valley since 1972. I have worked for the Medicine Shoppe for 3 months and I am learning many new things. I have started riding my bike again with the Lifecycle Club.

Joanne Tim

Wendy

SuzanneStephanie

BonnieKathy

Margaret

Jamie

Cathy

Wilson

Holly

Mary BethI have worked at the Medicine Shoppe since 2008. I studied pharmacy at the University of Manitoba. In my spare time I love to ski and golf.

I’m a local boy who works both here and at the pharmacy on CFB Comox. I am the ‘younger fellow’ on staff.

Ron

I was born and raised in the Comox Valley and have been fortunate to continue to live and work here. I am enjoying working with so many great people at the Medicine Shoppe.

Linda

My husband and I have been in the Valley for over 15 years. Our daughters were raised here. We love to take advantage of the active lifestyle we can have here in the Valley. I look forward to serving those I know as they come through the doors of the Medicine Shoppe.

Helen

I like hanging around, swinging on the poles and new walkers and other fun items we are now carrying.

Laurie

I am the PR guy here. I give hugs to kids of all ages. I have been here for 7 years.

Louie

I am the newest animal in the zoo, I mean store. I am a chick magnet, bear magnet, kid magnet – it’s my magnetic personality.

Bru

I moved to the valley 12 years ago and have been at the Medicine Shoppe for the past 9 years. I like long walks on the beach.

Sue

I have worked at the Medicine Shoppe for 4 years now. My hobbies include singing, writing and playing piano.

Emily


tastes. Appetizers range from oven-baked goat cheese to a scallop/tiger prawn duo.

Entrées include curried chicken fettuccine, Nasi Goreng (shrimp, chicken, bean sprouts and rice in a spicy sweet Indonesian sauce, topped with a shrimp and taro root cracker) and seafood linguine. Meat dishes include a half or full order of barbecued baby back ribs, charbroiled beef tenderloin, braised lamb shank, rack of lamb and slow-roasted duck breast.

Along with the aforementioned crème brule, dessert choices range from apple berry crisp to daily cheesecake.

My guest was kind enough to share a generous portion of her Warm Dark Chocolate Flourless Cake — another popular Martine’s dessert.

For added enjoyment, desserts can be paired with a specialty coffee or after-din-ner cocktail.

The restaurant has a patio that overlooks Comox

Harbour and a front yard containing a sculpture by visual artist Patrizia Didiom-ete. Another of her sculptures adorns the restaurant interior that blends the charm of the West Coast with a touch of European fl air.

The walls are decorat-ed with paintings of local artists. Black Creek’s Marilyn Peeters is the featured artist at present.

“We change the art every three months,” Aartsen said. “It’s a different feeling to the restaurant, not only for the customers but it also gives a different feeling for the staff and for me.”

Sunday evening showcases the acoustic side of local mu-sicians such as Luke Guthrie, Larry Ayre and Anela Kahia-moe. We enjoyed the guitar of Jeff Drummond, who was a fi xture on the Calgary jazz scene before moving to the Island.

Martine’s is open seven days a week for dinner after 5 p.m. It is located at 1754 Beaufort Ave.

Reservations are appreci-ated but not required. Call 250-339-1199 or e-mail

[email protected] of drinking and

driving laws, the restaurant

offers to drive customers home at no charge within a 10-kilometre distance.

Visit www.martinesbistro.com.

[email protected]

MARTINE’S BISTRO OWNER Marcus Aartsen transformed “a tear-down building” into “a Comox dining experience not to be missed.” PHOTOS BY SCOTT STANFIELD

Specialty CoffeeCerti� ed Organic, locally roasted beans

Baked Goods • Light LunchesGluten Free & Vegan Options Available

The place to meet IN DOWNTOWN COMOX1761-C Comox Avenue, Comox 250-339-9775

IslandBerryFROZEN YOGURTIS BACK!



Comox started developing cycling lanes several years ago when the Province made funding available for com-munities with populations of fewer than 15,000 people.

The money enabled bike lane work on Guthrie Road near Highland Secondary School and near the tennis courts on Stewart Street. The biggest project was installing a bike lane along Comox Hill and the St. Joseph’s Hospital frontage, thanks to federal gas tax funding and provin-cial money.

“That was a real bottle-neck that was identi� ed by the Comox Valley Cycling Task Force a number of years ago,” Mayor Paul Ives said. “You’ll see it being used a lot. We haven’t done any of� cial traf� c counts on it, but there are a lot of people using that up and down for commuting to and from work, and just recreational use.”

There is also a bike lane along Noel Avenue in front of the Comox Community Centre. In addition, there has been line painting and signage installed along Anderton Road and Beaufort

and Bolt avenues.“We’ve focused on arterial

routes and close to schools, getting people from A to B, and just building pieces of it when we can,” said Ives, who feels the most effective has been Anderton. “We went the full length of Anderton with nothing more than a painted bike lane with some signage. Anecdotally, we’ve seen a great uptake.

“We’ve seen young fam-ilies out there, we’ve seen seniors out there…You give people that little bit more comfort on a very busy street, and with enhanced traf� c enforcement from the RCMP, it’s made things a lot easier for people to get around. We have a very active commu-nity. We have lots of young families, but we have lots of active seniors as well.”

A health-related cycling program that runs Wednes-day evenings in Comox is in its 13th year. With 60 cyclists showing up, the program is not accepting further mem-bers.

“Sometimes it’s just simple steps,” Ives said. “Our budget for Anderton, Beau-fort and Bolt is $90,000 over the course of our � ve-year capital plan. That represents

a very small part of our over-all capital budget.

“We do get some criticism from time to time. (But) it emphasizes the fact that for a very little bit of money, and with some help from federal and provincial governments, we can achieve a more livable community.”

A 20-year transportation study considers various improvements to the town. Cycling and pedestrian safety is a key element of the study.

“I think it just shows that if you build it, generally they will come and they will utilize it,” said Ives, who feels designated lanes increase the safety of cyclists and motor-ists.

“They now know where to expect cyclists,” said Ives, noting potential con� ict zones identi� ed by green paint along Guthrie and Comox Avenue.

“I think people feel that it’s been a good expenditure of taxpayers’ money. In the grand scheme of it, to spend a fraction of our capital on that, I think it’s been a good investment. We hope that long-term it pays off in better health and better overall lifestyle.” ❖

[email protected]

COMOX BIKE LANES help to reduce a bottleneck identified by the Comox Valley Cycling Task Force, says Mayor Paul Ives. PHOTO BY SCOTT STANFIELD

Lanes assisting Cyclists

Welcome to COMOX!

Town of Comox

The Town of Comox, in partnership with the Comox BIA, welcomes both residents and visitors alike to our beautiful revitalized downtown.Come browse in the many shops in the downtown core, participate in the mix of special events in and around the marina, and experience the uniqueness that is…


BESIDES EXCELLENT MUSICIANS such as Spirit of the West and Jim Byrnes (below), the 2013 Filberg festival will features the usual outstanding artwork and children’s entertainment.

Filberg Festival famous for featuring fabulous funSCOTT STANFIELD Record Staff

The Filberg Festival is held each summer to celebrate excellence in arts, crafts and music, and to raise money to maintain and restore the picturesque Filberg estate.

The 31st annual event takes place Aug. 2 to 5.

The festival features 135 artisans from across Cana-da, selected by way of jury from 225 applicants. Booths nestled amongst the trees of Filberg Park are full of hidden gems: fi bre creations, wood and glass-blown creations, sculptures, pottery, clothing and jewelry, among other items.

This year’s invited guest artisans are the Samphire Family. Adele makes func-tional wheel-thrown ceram-ics. Sid produces semi-func-tional stoneware constructed from coils and slabs. Lisa has distinguished herself as a glass artist.

Entertainment has a roots music feel from a stellar group of Canadian musi-cians. Performances are at the Main Stage and the more intimate Garden Stage.

The Fred Eaglesmith Traveling Show kicks off

the Friday entertainment, which ends with the rich and textured voices of the Sojourners.

Saturday starts with festi-val returnee Spirit of the West followed by award-winning country songwriter Ridley Bent, who performs in the Song Swap with country roots songwriter Sean Hogan and again at the end of the day with a crackerjack band.

Sunday’s lineup includes a rare solo performance by leg-endary singer/songwriter and Order of Canada recipient Murray McLauchlan, West

Coast songs by Fraser Union, and a celebration of country music and fancy guitar work by the Jim Byrnes Duo.

Monday starts with the boogie-woogie and jazz piano of festival favourite Michael Kaeshammer.

Host of this year’s Blues Panel Concert is guitarist Sam Hurrie, who will be joined by multi-instru-mentalist Michael Jerome Browne, guitarists Ken Hamm and Paul Pigat, harmonica player Gary Pres-ton, and Anita Bonkowski on bass and percussion. Each

musician takes a turn as lead performer.

The fi rst-time Fiddle Panel Concert will feature the husband/wife duo known as Pear, Patti Lamoureux with multi-instrumentalist Jeremy Rusu, Carli and Julie Kenne-dy, and Daniel Lapp.

McLauchlan is the special guest artist of the Great Cana-dian Songs Concert, which ends the music portion of the festival Monday afternoon. Jake Galbraith, who has host-ed the concert since 2004, will start the show.

As always, there will be an assortment of fabulous food vendors.

Event organizers encour-age people to use the park and ride service provided by Ambassador Shuttle. It will operate from Brooklyn Ele-mentary at 1475 Noel Ave.

Attendees are asked to leave dogs at home.

Daily admission is $15. Children 12 and under get in free. Advance tickets are $13. Festival passes are $40.

Festival hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday to Sunday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mon-day.

For more information visit fi lbergfestival.com. ❖

[email protected]


250.941.7722203-1723 Comox Ave.www.tamivarneyrmt.com

Tami Varney, RMTRegistered Massage TherapistMy massage practice is your source for health, healing, and meditation. I am committed to providing you with the opportunity to reach your optimum potential through my hands on care.

MASSAGE THERAPY

250.941.8378102-1723 Comox Ave.

www.gordonhearing.ca

Jason Gordon M.Sc., Aud (C)Registered Audiologist

❏✔ Expertise:Only Clinic in the Valley witha full-time audiologist.

❏✔ Selection:Latest hearing aids from ALL major brands - not just one.

❏✔ Value:Guaranteed best pricing in town.

Audiology andHearing Aid Centre

Gordon HearingServices

250.941.0488 101A-1771 Comox Ave.

www.fl ossdentalhygiene.ca

Heather Mayhew, RDH

Book your nextdental cleaning todayin a spa-likerelaxed atmosphere

Services we could provide:Preventative Dental Treatment

Oral ExamsPolishing • Scaling

Oral Hygiene InstructionFluoride

Mobile Dental HygieneTooth Whitening

Sport MouthguardsRadiographs

Desensitization

Sigma Systems Spine-Align UltraThis computer-assisted technique provides on-screen analysis, automated computer-assisted adjustments, and a computerized reassessment that compares pre-adjustment with post adjustment to show the improvements in an on-screen readout (graphs).

Spinal Decompression TherapySpinal decompression is a non-surgical, computerized, traction-based treatment for herniated disc and low back pain. The TRITION DTS is a leader in spinal decompression therapy systems and is available at Comox Chiropractic.

250.339.4433#203-1723 Comox Ave., Comox BC

www.comoxchiropractic.com

Our Intention: ‘... to create Opportunities for those individuals who choose to reach for their Optimum Human Potential.’

Dr. Douglas Price

Amongst the boutique shops in downtown Comox is a

large variety of professional offices. Comox offers practices

ranging from medical care to business and legal services.

The friendly reception and staff and the wide variety of

professional services that are offered is one of the many

reasons people from all over Vancouver Island visit Comox

by the Sea. These professionals are committed to offer top

quality service and care.

1 2 3 4

Comox Professionals

www.comoxvalleyrecord.com Comox by the Sea COMOX VALLEY RECORD • TUESDAY, JUNE 4, 2013 13

Dr. Leo C. Johnson Inc.FAMILY DENTISTRY

Dr. Leo C. Johnson Inc.Dr. Leo C. Johnson Inc.

A full service Family Dental Practice.• Digital X-rays • Oral & Nitrous Sedation

• Direct Insurance Billing • Custom Night Guards, Sports Guards & Whitening

250.339.45251842 A Comox Avenue, Comox

Accepting New Patients!

Dr. Leo Johnson, Dr. Frank Lo,and staff Welcome You!

250.339.2902#306 - 1819 Beaufort Ave., Comox

Beaufort Professional Building

Gordon White Law Offi ce

Gordon White

Family Law,Wills and

Estates

P E R S O N A L L A W C O R P O R T AT I O N

Now off ering:• Manual & Manipulative Therapy• IMS (Intramuscular Stimulation)• Ergonomic Evaluations• Acupuncture

Treatment for:• Sports Injuries• TMJ Dysfunction• Post Surgical Rehabilitation• Neck & Back Injuries• Myofascial Pain Dysfunction

Our Team of Physiotherapists

250.339.1039141A Nordin Street, Comox BC

www.ascentphysiotherapy.com

*Registered Physiotherapists with the College of Physical Therapists of BC.Kendra Mulligan Physical Therapist Corp.

Kendra Mulligan*BScPT, CGIMS, RCAMT

Tannis Harrison*B.MR.(P.T.)

Kim Sénéchal*MSPT

Gallery

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42

6

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Comox Professionals

7

In The Comox Valley

250-334-3124121-750 Comox Road, Courtenay

Comox Mall • Driftwood [email protected]

A Proud Supporter of Your Local Community Events

We’ve Got You Covered...Have an event

or function coming up?The agents of Royal LePage have

purchased a 20’ x 20’ tent for community use.

Call Us for Details & Bookings

“Helping You is What We Do”

New memberships only. Valid at participating clubs. Free week may be exchanged for a special first visit discount.Not valid with any other offer. ©2012 Curves International Inc.

250-339-6643201-1761 Comox AveComox

250-334-4959368-11th StreetCourtenay

Gymnastics Summer Camps!Half day (3 years+) and full day (6 years+)

camps available all summer long.

Spaces fill quickly – register NOW!Located at Comox Recreation Centre

1855 Noel Ave., ComoxFor Detailed Info, See the “Comox Valley Recreation Reporter”

Chimo Gymnastics“The Valley’s Gymnastics Club”

www.chimogymnastics.com 250-339-2255

Free Festival of Family FunAugust 3-5Marina Park

Comox

55thAnnual

For Festival information go to www.comoxnauticaldays.ca


HERECOMESTHESUN!

■ Custom window coverings & drapery■ New products, fabric and colours on display

■ Free in home consultations■ Professionally trained installers

■ Ultrasonic blind cleaning

221C Church Street, Comox • 250-941-7824 • www.blindsbilliardsandbaubles.com

Come See our selection ofDESIGNER SCREEN

ROLLER SHADES

50% * MSRP, ends June 30

OFF *


Water sports proliferating


The Comox Community Centre, in conjunction with instructors at the Compass Adventure water sports centre, offers a variety of spring and summer sailing and paddleboard programs at Comox Bay Marina park.

For instance, the Ocean Ad-venture Camp provides children and youth a full week of fun and lessons in standup paddleboarding, catamaran sailing, kayaking, beach games and slack-lining. The latter is like tightrope walking, typically using nylon or polyester webbing tensioned between two anchor points.

There are a total of nine camps running from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. either four or fi ve days through-out July and August, designed for

those in the seven- to 16-year-old age bracket. There is room for a maximum of 30 students per week. Students must be confi dent in a water environment.

Single and three-day passes are also available.

Jesse Dewhirst, a Valley realtor who owns the Coast Surf Shop, says standup paddleboarding is the fastest-growing water sport in North America.

“It’s an awesome workout if you’re paddling in still water,” he said. “It’s a full-body workout.”

Vancouver Island is ideal for fl at water paddleboarding in the ocean, on lakes and even rivers. Those wanting to surf can pack their board in the car and head for Tofi no.

Like sailing, paddleboarding can be done throughout one’s lifetime. In some cases, skills learned can even be life-changing.

“It’s got the surf culture to it,” Dewhirst said of paddleboarding.

Other programs include:• Ocean Adventures with Surf-

SUP (Standup Paddleboarding) camps, 10 years and up;

• Stand Up Paddle Fit, 16 years and older;

• Sailing-only programs Cat

Card 1 and 2, 10-14 years;• Adult sailing lessons, 16 years

and older.Compass is also offering Ulti-

mate Beach Parties, an afternoon of fun for those throwing a birthday party or looking for something do with their friends over the summer. Activities include catamaran sailing,

kayaking, standup paddleboarding and slack-lining. Attendees will also enjoy a new ocean adventure park.

For prices and registration infor-mation, visit comox.ca/recreation or phone 250-339-2255.

Contact Compass Adventure at 250-334-0741 or visit www.compas-sadventure.ca. ❖

Standup paddleboarding is the fastest-growing water sport in North America, says Jesse Dewhirst, a Valley realtor who owns the Coast Surf Shop in Comox.


Seekand ye shall � nd


Tom and Heather Furlotte’s interest in geocaching truly was a matter of luck.

The couple, who were posted at the time in Winnipeg getting ready for their move to Comox in 2002, purchased their � rst GPS device following Heather’s lucky streak at a casino.

“I took $20 with me to de-stress (from packing),” she explained, and noted following pressing a few buttons on a machine, she walked out $600 richer.

“We decided to buy a GPS with the money,” she added as a tool to aid their trek to Comox.

Tom said he Goo-gled the tool online, and the very � rst search that popped up was geocaching, and the duo have been hooked ever since.

“With geocaching, you get out what you put in,” he said, and recalls their very � rst cache at Airforce Beach at an old, abandoned hut.

“There wasn’t a lot of caches (in the area) when we � rst started, but there are more than 2.8 million caches worldwide.”

Geocaching is an outdoor treasure hunt in which players try to locate hidden containers — geocaches — using a smartphone or GPS and can share their experiences online.

The Furlottes, along with a handful of other geocachers, came together to form Mid Island Geocachers, a site for people who are interested in geocaching on the Island from Nanaimo north to Campbell River to the west coast.

There are more than 5,300 active caches in the area, with more being hidden every day.

One of the biggest advantages of joining a group, Tom explained, is the resources and mentoring it can offer, as well as a unique

‘phone-a-friend’ feature with the Mid Island Geocachers.

He said if a member is out caching and needs a hint for a location, or to inform another member of their intention to go ‘off-the grid’ while caching, the phone-a-friend feature, where a member’s phone list is circulated, is very helpful.

Tom said one of his favourite caches in Comox is a multi-leg cache, which provides the searcher a ‘tour of Comox.’

The pair noted caching around town is a great way to � nd hidden gems in the area.

“Geocaching is re-ally neat for the views and places it takes you in your own neigh-bourhood,” added Heather.

Tom said caches hidden in areas such as Brooklyn Creek allow geocachers to explore areas that otherwise might be overlooked in a regular hike.

Members subscribe to a concept called CITO — Cache In Trash Out — an initia-tive in which cachers bring a trash bag along and pick up any trash along a trail.

In addition to CITO, Tom added the Mid Island Geocachers adopted part of Highway 19A from Royston to Courtenay and dedicate time to clean the area.

Heather suggested those who are interest-ing in trying geocaching for the � rst time can ask to be mentored with a member or ask to borrow a GPS before investing. For those with smartphones, a geocaching app can also be purchased to be used with the devices’ internal GPS.

For more information on Comox caches, visit www.geocaching.com, and for more information on the Mid Island Geocachers, visit www.migeocaching.org. ❖

[email protected]

TOM AND HEATHER FURLOTTE visited the very first geocache hidden just outside Estacada, Ore.

Five local favouritesHere are � ve great Comox caches (in no particular order):

Thirsty — by Let’s Go Caching;B11: Do You Measure up — by La-

zonians;Micro In the Woods — by coast-

2coast2coast;Post it Note — by DonnaMay&-

BooPoo;Buggsy II — by Olddffart.

HER HAPPINESSOUR BOTTOM LINE

was

Ann was delighted to discoverAnn was delighted to discover

Our experts took a genuine interest in helping Ann achieve her goals and dreams, and great things happened for her.

Our experts are ready to help with your banking, insurance,wealth management or business services needs. Visit us at the

Comox Community Branch or online at cccu.ca.

CRE DIT UNION | INSURANCE | INVESTMENTS | BUS I NESS SERVI C ES

COMOX COMMUNITY BRANCH1797 Comox Avenue

Credit Union: 250.703.4234 | Insurance: 250.703.4201

1747 Comox Ave, Comox BC ■ 250-339-3911www.smittys.ca

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Record Staff

A new location with a great view goes hand in hand with providing De Luca Veale Investment Counsel Inc. clients with a great outlook on their investments.

Formerly on Comox Avenue near Avenue Restau-rant, De Luca Veale recently relocated closer to down-town Comox and is the � rst occupant of the new Harbour Centre at 1829 Beaufort Ave.

Richard De Luca, who co-founded the � rm along with Jonathan Veale, said clients have offered positive feedback about the new locale, which is a bright, modern and welcoming with plenty of natural light.

De Luca said the company was looking to expand and is

happy that they are now right next to the elevator so clients are whisked to their front door. There is also ample parking around Harbour Centre.

Along with the two founding partners, there are three other employees at De Luca Veale, which is now in its eighth year of operation.

De Luca said the move to larger facilities sends a clear message to both current and future clients “that our � rm is committed to serving our clients with the best technol-ogy, tools and business prac-tices in the industry. Our new working space speaks to that and is much more conducive to our � rm collectively being at our best for our clients.”

The partners, who were introduced to each other by

their wives, have a combined 33 years in the business of advising and managing client’s investment portfolios. They both knew they wanted to work for their clients directly.

De Luca notes a quote from Sir Richard Branson succinctly de� nes why their

� rm was created: “There is no point in starting your own business unless you do it out of a sense of frustration” with the status quo. Both partners wanted to work in the best business model with the best business practices, and thus De Luca Veale Investment Counsel Inc. was born.

As portfolio managers they are stewards of the clients’ investment portfolios and bring professional man-agement to their retirement savings.

The company’s new of� ce will allow them to dedicate a portion of the space to their new Private Real Estate

Investment Trust (REIT).Both partners have � rm

roots in the Comox Valley and look forward to working with clients old and new as they continue to grow their business. De Luca Veale can be contacted by phone at 250-890-2000, or e-mail at [email protected]. ❖


New location, same good tips

DE LUCA VEALE STAFF (left to right) Matt MacDonald, Richard De Luca, Jonathan Veale and Desiree Borrow are welcoming clients in their new location at 230-1829 Beaufort Ave. in the new Harbour Centre.

27th Annual Nautical Days

BullheadDerby

sponsored by

Your community. Your newspaper.

sponsored bysponsored by

COMOX VALLEY RECORD

Saturday, August 3rd

at the

Comox Government Wharf

• Gift certifi cates available• Wedding packages• Jewelry and hair accessories• Evening appointments available• Walk-ins welcome• All perms, colours & highlights

include cut and style

p: 250.339.6940e: [email protected] Comox Avenue, Comox, BC.

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www.xpressionshs.com


Yachts‘well-oiled machine’


They’ve travelled the world, sailed in the Carib-bean and worked in Europe, but for Jennifer and Merion Martin, their nautical careers drew them to Comox.

The Martins recent-ly purchased Desolation Sound Yacht Charters, a Comox-based business that provides charters with yacht-ing vacations through sail and power yachts.

The pair are planning to grow the business, which has been in operation for more then 30 years, by offering a variety of services to explore Desolation Sound and the Broughton Archipelago.

“I was brought up on

boats in north Wales and the Irish Sea,” explained Merion. “After school, it was a career decision and worked a season as a deckhand in the Caribbean, and worked to get my professional yachting certi� cation.”

Travelling in Europe, Jen met Merion following her experience initially as a chef working on a variety of boats, eventually running a 65-foot catamaran in the Caribbean.

The pair sailed the Med-iterranean in the summer, as they lived in the south of France prior to moving to the Comox Valley.

Jennifer explained they have a young family, and were looking for an opportu-nity to get off boats, and to

work in a related shore-based business.

“We � ew over in six weeks (from France),” she added once they made the decision to purchase the business. “I’ve lived in Whistler when I was younger, and knew if I was coming back to Canada, this is where I would like to be.”

Merion noted it was a seamless transition to take over the company, and worked with the previous owners and current staff for a year.

“It’s a very well-oiled machine. Everyone works together and we all have our own niche,” added Jennifer.

Desolation Sound has 27 yachts in its � eet, with a mix

of sail and power boats to suit a variety of budgets.

Merion explained they also offer a cruise-and-learn opportunity for those who don’t have boating experi-ence, where an instructor takes an individual or group through theory and practice of yachting, all performed

onboard.“You walk away with your

certi� cation after a week,” added Jennifer.

In addition to their Comox location, the pair are aiming to open an additional of� ce in Port McNeill next season.

Desolation Sound Yacht

Charters also offers outsource maintenance work and has a yacht-care program.

For more information or to book a charter, visit www.desolationsoundyachtcharters.com, visit their Facebook page or call 250-339-7222. ❖

[email protected]

MERION AND JENNIFER MARTIN own and operate Desolation Sound Yacht Charters.



Comox Business In Action has voted to approve a draw prize for the annual Nautical Days festival on the BC Day long weekend in August.

The lucky winner will have a choice of indulging in an overnight sailing charter with a personal skipper or receiving $1,000 in Comox By The Sea spending money.

The September overnight sailing charter for two is aboard Desolation Sound Yacht Charters’ 42-foot Jean-neau yacht.

“They do these amazing

charters right out of Comox Marina,” Comox BIA co-or-dinator Holly Grant said of Desolation Sound Yacht Charters.

With a � eet of about 27 yachts, Grant notes the busi-ness already has upwards of 250 sailing charters booked largely for customers from Alberta and California.

“The idea (for the draw) grew about a great way to of-

fer a luxurious little getaway trip for people to try a skip-pered chartering opportunity, then the idea was born,” Grant said.

After departing Comox Marina in the morning, the winner will enjoy a day sail with lunch, a three-course dinner, champagne and dessert.

The package includes an overnight stay in Tribune

Bay aboard the yacht in a king-size cabin with private ensuite. Breakfast is included before sailing back to Comox the next morning.

“The weather should be just beautiful,” Grant said. “It’s going to be fabulous.”

No sailing experience is needed, as the skipper looks after everything. The winner must sign a contract with DSYC and provide a VISA

or MasterCard imprint for a security deposit.

The other prize option is $1,000 in Comox By the Sea money to be spent at any of the BIA member establish-ments, of which there are more than 150. Winners may opt, for instance, to purchase a new pair of glasses or en-gage in a shopping spree.

The BIA is also going to offer a series of additional

Comox By The Sea dollars in various denominations as extra prizes totalling $500.

As of about late-June, the public can enter the draw at a participating Comox By The Sea merchant and during Nautical Days.

For more information, visit comoxbythesea.com and www.comoxvalleyrecord.com. ❖

[email protected]

THE APPROACH TO Desolation Sound is typical of the awe-inspiring sights you can see on a Desolation Sound Yacht Charter voyage.

Charter prize from BIA

Comox RecreationCOME PLAY WITH US!

Comox Community Centre COME PLAY WITH US! 1855 Noel Ave, Comox [email protected] 250-339-2255 www.comox.ca

Comox RecreationCOME PLAY WITH US!

Comox Community Centre COME PLAY WITH US! 1855 Noel Ave, [email protected] 250-339-2255 www.comox.ca

HANDS ON FARMat the Filberg Park, COmOx

OPENS JUNE 17TH!A family oriented petting zoo, located on the fabulous Filberg Park grounds!Open 10am - 4pm, June 17 - August 16Drop in for $2, Children under 6 $1,School groups $25 (Reservations begin June 3)Call 250-339-FARM

HANDS ON FARM PROGRAMSFairies & Farmers(3 – 5 years) Junior Farm Hand(6 - 8 years)Farm Club(9 – 12 years)Call 250-339-2255

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Saturday & Sunday,

August 10th & 11th

10 am to 5 pmMarina Park, Comox

FINE ART SHOW & SALE

Saturday & Sunday,

FINE ART SHOW & SALEOver 60 Vancouver Island and Outer Islands painters and

sculptors exhibiting in a spectacular outdoor setting.

SPONSORED BY:

The Westerly HotelCOMOX

RECREATION Your community. Your newspaper.Comox Valley ReCoRdYour Community. Your Newspaper



With more than 2,000 potential visitors to down-town Comox, the Comox Business in Action is rolling out the welcome mat — or more speci� cally, a welcome package.

Holly Grant, co-ordinator of Comox By the Sea, said this year the BIA is offer-ing a welcome package for transient (visiting) boaters to downtown Comox.

“It’s a new initiative which came together after conversa-tion with our directors,” she explained. “In the summer, there could be around 2,000 boats which visit over the holidays. There is so much to do within walking distance of the marina.”

Grant said the package includes coupons and infor-mation for various services and businesses in downtown Comox, such as coupons for the Comox Golf Course and Glow Beauty Bar, the Medicine Shoppe and other restaurants and pubs.

“Where else can you come to the downtown of a town and play a round of golf?” she noted. “We really want to give boaters a real � avour of what’s available downtown.”

The BIA will hand out packages to the Comox Har-bour Authority, the Comox Bay Marina, Desolation Sound Yacht Charters and Gas N Go to distribute to boaters.

Grant added there is 800 feet of transient moorage at the government dock avail-able to visiting boaters on a � rst-come � rst-serve basis.

Boaters can tie their boat and staff will measure the length of their vessel; the cost to moor a boat is $1 per foot.

Grant explained the various marinas do work together to facilitate space for visiting boaters as best as they can.

• • •An improvement is afoot

for a popular parking spot in Comox, despite a temporary closure which should be complete prior to summer-time use.

Brett Green, public works foreman for the Town of Comox, says the west parking lot/boat trailer parking near Marina Park will be resur-faced and will receive some underground improvements in draining.

During the � rst part of the improvement, Green said the marina will be open, but there will be a delay in driving to the area, and traf� c control will be in place.

For the second phase, the public can still access the parking lot, but it will be closed to boat and trailer unloading and there will be limited parking, noted Green, and added he is en-couraging anyone to walk or bike to the area.

“The space is at a premi-um (right now), and this will increase the trailer parking by a couple of metres,” he said.

Green added he would like to thank everyone for their patience in the project and asks the public to please obey the traf� c control per-sonnel. ❖

[email protected]

COMOX BUSINESS IN ACTION is distributing a package for coupons and information to welcome boaters visiting the marina.

Comox welcomes boaters



Steve Veloso likes to fi sh.But he absolutely loves to

help others catch fi sh.“I’ve had an interest in

fi sh guiding since I was 12,” says the 25-year-old owner and operator of Comox-based Island Pursuit Sport Fishing. “I enjoy teaching people how to fi sh, and I enjoy taking people to fi sh more than I like to fi sh myself.

“I worked in Langara, (area at Northern tip of Queen Charlotte Islands) for, this will be my seventh year, and I’ve never reeled in a fi sh up there. It’s guys’ dreams to go up there and they pay tens of thousands of dollars to go, and I can go out whenever I want up there and I’ve never gone (just for myself).

“I just take people fi shing, and that’s really what I enjoy

doing in life.”Veloso’s love of fi shing

runs in the family — his father is a commercial fi sh-erman and his grandparents own Portuguese Joe’s Fish Market on Comox Road.

“I’ve grown up, since I was like one year old, babysat on the boat pretty much,” he says, noting the family has photos of him proving that.

“I took out my fi rst paying client when I was 12 … And I started professionally guiding when I was 16, when I could drive to Campbell River and work at Painter’s (Lodge).”

Veloso has been guiding ever since, and started his own business, Island Pursuit Sport Fishing, about four years ago.

Though he’s fi shed all around Vancouver Island, Veloso says Comox Valley waters are a great place to catch fi sh.

“Fishing in the Comox Valley is actually a lot better then people think,” he says. “It’s not known as a fi shing destination like Campbell River and some of the other places, Ucluelet, Tofi no, Port Hardy, but a lot of the

time, especially in the spring, fi shing can be absolutely phenomenal — like go out for half a day and you can catch 10 to 20 fi sh, like it’s pretty good.”

He and the handful of other registered fi shing

guides in the Valley have been pushing to put the Comox Valley on the map as a fi shing destination, and he notes trips are generally a bit cheaper here than other places on Vancouver Island.

He points out fi shing guides from Campbell River have been coming down this way in the past few years because the fi shing here has been consistently good.

“Late-May, early-June you get a lot of medium, teen-age-size salmon and you’ll typically get lots of bites … and then as you get into late June and early July you start getting a little bit less bites but bigger fi sh,” he explains, noting other fi sh like snapper and halibut are also common in Comox Valley waters.

Besides a 24-foot Pursuit for his guided fi shing trips, Veloso owns a Zodiac boat for other adventures like wildlife and rapids tours.

Meanwhile, Veloso is also a personal trainer and he’s started a new tour called Sea-Fit where he takes people over to Tree Island for a 1.5-hour group personal training session, followed by a light lunch and tour of the island.

Veloso calls himself a “tourism travel agent” of sorts for Vancouver Island; if he doesn’t go fi shing in a certain area, he knows other guides who do and will book a trip for someone who calls him, through one of the guides he trusts.

He’ll also help set up things like diving tours through other Comox Valley companies, and recommend good local accommodation and restaurants to his clients.

For more information, visit www.vancouverisland-sportfi shing.ca, call 250-702-6178 or visit the Comox Fisherman’s Wharf. ❖

[email protected]

Steve Veloso (right), owner of Comox-based Island Pursuit Sport Fishing, enjoys fishing — but not as much as seeing the expres-sions on the faces of satisfied customers.

Love of fi shing runs right through Veloso family


Calendar OF EVENTS

Senior students’ art showUntil June 16Location: Pearl Ellis GalleryThis show represents some of the finest work of senior art students at Mark R. Isfeld Sec-ondary School. Donations and proceeds go to support the annual Pearl Ellis High School Bursary Program.Website: www.pearlellisgallery.com.

Black Press Van Isle 360 International Yacht RaceDate: June 9Location: Comox MarinaThe race around Vancouver Island stops at the Comox Marina for the night of June 9.Website: www.vanisle360.com/wp.

BC Shellfish FestivalDate: June 14 and 15Location: Filberg Lodge/Comox Marina ParkChef’s Dinner at Comox Filberg Heritage Lodge and Festival Day in Comox Marina Park.Chef’s Dinner: Friday, June 14 at 5:30 p.m. at the Filberg Heritage Lodge.Festival Day: Saturday, June 15 in Comox Marina Park.Website: http://bcshellfishfestival.ca.

Comox Cup Road Hockey TournamentDate: June 21 to 23Location: Comox Marina ParkThe 2013 Comox Cup adult road hockey tournament is being held in a marina parking lot from June 21 at 6 p.m. through June 23 at 7 p.m.Website: http://comox.ca/recreation/rec-events.

Filberg FestivalDate: Aug. 2 to 5Location: Filberg LodgeThe annual four-day Filberg Festival is the art event of the summer! Held each B.C. Day long weekend, the festival features more than 120 artisans, great food and lively entertain-ment for all ages on the beautiful nine-acre waterfront Filberg Heritage Lodge and Park.Website: http://filbergfestival.com.

Comox Nautical Days FestivalDate: Aug. 3 to 5Location: Comox Marina ParkThis is the famous Town of Comox Nauti-cal Days Festival. Family fun for free at the Comox Marina Park. The 2013 event is the 55th annual. Pancake breakfast. Performanc-es. Culminating with a fantastic fireworks show on Aug. 5 at 10 p.m.Website: http://comoxnauticaldays.ca.

RIDLEY BENT WILL PERFORM at the 2013 Filberg Festival.

Another popular summertime event in Comox is Nautical Days, which includes the Victor Simon-son Dragon Boat Races.

Record Staff

There’s a new vibe at the Comox Golf Club, and they want the Comox Valley to be part of it.

The club has undergone a youth move-ment, with offi ce manager Carmen DeWinter and chef Adrian Merrilees spearheading the new look at the venerable golf club, nestled in the heart of downtown Comox.

On a recent Thursday morning, there was a pack of golfers eager to tee off. DeWinter notes the new punch-card program was responsible for the turnout.

“You can purchase a 10-pack for nine rounds with a discount,” she said. “We also have a fi ve-pack twilight (punch-card) for fi ve rounds of unlimited golf any time after 3 p.m.”

Both programs have proved popular, and DeWinter stresses the public is welcome to come out and give them a try. “Many think we’re a semi-private club, but we are open to the public,” she said.

DeWinter advises calling ahead to book tee times, as the club hosts tournaments and has weekly men’s and ladies’ leagues. “It’s fi rst-come, fi rst-served, but it’s best to call

ahead to avoid disappointment.”Along with an impeccably manicured

nine-hole course, head professional Doug Petrie’s Golf Shop offers clothing sales, clubs, shoes, power and pull car rentals, club rentals, CPGA instruction, customized tournament packages and group bookings.

Also new at the Comox course is the Tee Box restaurant with head chef Merrilees. The public is welcome to drop by any day of the week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Golfers and non-golfers alike have had nothing but rave reviews about the Tee Box menu and friendly service.

Beginning June 12, the Tee Box will offer a happy hour from 4 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday with a variety of specials on the menu.

Merrilees invites everyone to drop by the club to check out the restaurant and the view. An added bonus is the numerous deer that stroll the fairways and call the course home – confi rming its status as The Friendliest Golf Course in the Comox Valley.

The Comox Golf Club is at 1718 Balmoral Ave. For more information, contact the offi ce at 250-339-7203, e-mail [email protected] or visit comoxgolfclub.ca. ❖

CHEF ADRIAN MERRILEES and office manager Carmen DeWinter welcome everyone to drop by the Comox Golf Club for some fine dining and great golfing.

New vibe for golfers



Floss Dental Hygiene Services owner and operator Heather Mayhew plans to volunteer her services again after seeing the impact she made in Peru this year.

Mayhew travelled in March to a small town called Urubamba in Peru’s Sacred Valley of the Incas. She went with Kindness in Action Ser-vice Society of Alberta (KIA) and donated dental care to people for a week.

“They were actually lined up and down the street when we � rst arrived, before we were even set up at all,” she says, noting volunteers set patients up on tables because there weren’t any dental chairs and there was no running water or suction to work with. “We saw lots of people and they waited in the sun for hours, to just come and lie on a hard table.”

Eighteen volunteers made up the team of dentists, hygienists, certi� ed dental assistants, denturists and fourth-year dental students.

Mayhew spent time teach-ing four- and � ve-year-olds how to care for their teeth by brushing and � ossing, and other things like what snacks are healthy.

“Even though I don’t speak Spanish, as soon as you pull the brush out they were so excited, so excited to see the � oss, like they were all gathering around me,” recalls Mayhew, noting a translator was on hand and the kids got to take home toothbrushes and � oss. “It was really rewarding because a lot of them don’t even have brushes.”

Mayhew says she would like to go back to Peru, or possibly somewhere else, like Honduras or Ecuador, to provide dental care again through KIA.

She adds the trip opened her eyes, particularly around the lack of dental care re-sources in that area of Peru.

“The poverty was so in your face,” she says. “It was really bad, you know, lots of kids with just bombed-out teeth — � ve years old — and just really bad dental care.

“So it was just amazing to go down and see the differ-ence — you come back here and you’re really quite happy

with what we have.”

Mayhew opened Floss in 2009 with the goal of offering something different in terms of dental care in Comox.

“I started it as just a little

bit more of a preventative source for people, another alternative to going to the traditional dental of� ce for your cleanings,” she says. “So there’s no dentist on-site here.”

Mayhew — who is the sole dental hygienist at Floss for now — will direct clients to a dentist if she sees some-thing requiring a dentist’s attention.

Floss features a quiet and relaxing atmosphere with no chemical smells. Services include: Dental exams, ra-diographs and X-rays, scaling and root-planing, polishing, cavity prevention, tooth de-sensitization, tooth-whiten-ing and sports mouthguards.

Mayhew notes Floss’ relaxing environment attracts people with dental phobias.

“We get a lot of folks that, just, have phobias of — you know, it’s not any particular

dentist but just the idea of going to the dentist and even having a cleaning,” she says.

Mayhew also spends time caring for people’s teeth in long-term care facilities like the Views at St. Joseph’s General Hospital and Glacier View Lodge.

“There’s a big need for it…It’s a big area that’s almost neglected in dental hygiene and dentistry — it’s really hard.”

Floss is located at 101A-1771 Comox Ave. For more information about Floss, visit www.� ossdentalhygiene.ca or call 250-941-0488. ❖

[email protected]

Dental volunteering creating smiles overseas

❝ Even though I don’t speak Spanish, as soon as you pull the brush out they were so excited, so excited to see the floss, like they were all gathering around me. ❞ Heather Mayhew

FLOSS DENTAL HYGIENE Services owner and opera-tor Heather Mayhew offers dental hygienist services in a quiet and relaxing space. In March, she travelled to Peru and offered free dental care to people in need (below).

PHOTO AT RIGHT BY RENEE ANDOR


OUR HOSPITALITY

YOUR HOME!

The Comox Valley’s premiere retirement residence offers seniors…Independent climate control in each suite (Heating and Air Conditioning)Three delicious meals daily prepared by our Executive Chef and his team

Weekly housekeeping and linen laundry serviceSocial and recreational programming for your body, mind and spirit

… all offered in luxurious surroundings in the heart of downtown Comox.Call today for more information and to book your personal tour.

Find out how you could be living here!

OUR HOSPITALITYOUR HOSPITALITY

YOUR HOME!

The Comox Valley’s premiere retirement residence offers seniors…Independent climate control in each suite (Heating and Air Conditioning)Independent climate control in each suite (Heating and Air Conditioning)Three delicious meals daily prepared by our Executive Chef and his team

Weekly housekeeping and linen laundry serviceSocial and recreational programming for your body, mind and spirit

… all offered in luxurious surroundings in the heart of downtown Comox.Call today for more information and to book your personal tour.

Find out how you could be living here!

BERWICK COMOX VALLEY1700 Comox Avenue, Comox BC V9M 4H4

Tel: 250-339-1690www.berwickretirement.com

june 04, 2013

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