tofino-ucluelet westerly news, september 23, 2015

20
Westerly News News updates: westerlynews.ca Serving Tofino and Ucluelet $1.25 [INCLUDING TAX] September 23, 2015 Wednesday JACKIE CARMICHAEL Westerly News A nightmare that lasted two decades is over for Sharon Pilgrim Sanford. After suffering her first heart attack at age 23 in 1996, Sanford has struggled valiantly to stay ahead of a heart that was wearing out. “It defined my whole life,” she recalls of the ailment that she car- ried, unknowing, even as a child. It defined what she could do, it shaped and limited her world. And then it knocked the bottom out from under her completely. “As of August, it dropped and got worse – I went into Tofino General Hospital on Aug. 4,” she recalled. Sanford’s worsening condition bumped her to the top of the trans- plant list, and a heart became available almost immediately – and not a minute too soon. “I feel like I’m still in a bit of a dream or twilight zone. It all hap- pened so fast – I can’t wrap my head around it,” she said. Thanks to the kindness of some- one who, perhaps with the help of their family, gave the ultimate gift, Sharon Sanford has a new lease on life. Since her memory had been affected by prior heart attacks, her husband Martin wanted her See HEART Page 8 INSIDE THIS WEEK: Knowing more about whales is what it’s all about for local researchers PAGE 12 The West Coast Fall Whale Guide debuts in the Westerly and the Nanaimo News Builletin this week PAGE 9-12 UCLUELET WOMAN’S AMAZING TRANSPLANT Twilight Zone: West Coast time warp is about time PAGE 2 TIME WAS RUNNING OUT FOR SHARON PILGRIM SANFORD - until a donor’s ultimate gift ... INSIDE Pages 6-7: Bruhwiler Kids Surf Classic HER NEW HEART Tofino author Ursula Banke to launch her Beck Island memoir PAGE 19

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September 23, 2015 edition of the Tofino-Ucluelet Westerly News

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Page 1: Tofino-Ucluelet Westerly News, September 23, 2015

Westerly NewsNews updates: westerlynews.ca Serving Tofino and Ucluelet $1.25 [INCLUDING TAX]

September 23, 2015 Wednesday

JACKIE CARMICHAEL Westerly News

A nightmare that lasted two decades is over for Sharon Pilgrim Sanford.

After suffering her first heart attack at age 23 in 1996, Sanford has struggled valiantly to stay ahead of a heart that was wearing

out.“It defined my whole life,” she

recalls of the ailment that she car-ried, unknowing, even as a child.

It defined what she could do, it shaped and limited her world.

And then it knocked the bottom out from under her completely.

“As of August, it dropped and got worse – I went into Tofino General

Hospital on Aug. 4,” she recalled.Sanford’s worsening condition

bumped her to the top of the trans-plant list, and a heart became available almost immediately – and not a minute too soon.

“I feel like I’m still in a bit of a dream or twilight zone. It all hap-pened so fast – I can’t wrap my head around it,” she said.

Thanks to the kindness of some-one who, perhaps with the help of their family, gave the ultimate gift, Sharon Sanford has a new lease on life.

Since her memory had been affected by prior heart attacks, her husband Martin wanted her

See HEART Page 8

INSIDETHIS WEEK:

Knowing more about whales is what it’s all about for local researchers PAGE 12

The West Coast Fall Whale Guide debuts in the Westerly and the Nanaimo News Builletin this week PAGE 9-12

UCLUELET WOMAN’S AMAZING TRANSPLANT

Twilight Zone: West Coast time warp is about timePAGE 2

TIME WAS RUNNING OUT FOR SHARON PILGRIM SANFORD - until a donor’s ultimategift ...

INSIDE Pages 6-7:

Bruhwiler Kids Surf Classic

HER NEW HEART

Tofino author Ursula Banke to launch her Beck Island memoirPAGE 19

Page 2: Tofino-Ucluelet Westerly News, September 23, 2015

Page 2 | The Westerly News Wednesday, September 23, 2015Page 2 | The Westerly News Wednesday, September 23, 2015

JACKIE CARMICHAEL Westerly News

Things are running behind the times on the West Coast of Vancouver Island, thanks to a $52 million project to improve the electric system in Ucluelet and Tofino.

It’s not exactly the Twilight Zone, but digital clocks have been losing minutes since Sept. 14, prompting complaints of lateness for work and meetings.

Time is NOT on our side.Do not adjust your set. No

need to look for wormholes just yet.

Technically, the West Coast electrical system has been “islanded” off the Western North America Power Grid for 10 days, all part of the Long beach Area Reinforcement Project, said Karla Louwers, a spokesperson for BC Hydro Vancouver Island.

“The variation doesn’t do dam-

age to electronics, but it does impact clocks, which is what all West Coasters are seeing now. They’re likely seeing variation in regards to time that’s being lost as that frequency actually fluc-tuates slightly on the ‘islanded’ system,” Louwers said.

The upgrade to the permanent

system was about time.Substations a half-century old

were at capacity when the Great Central Lake substation caught fire July 16, 2014.

“It’s a $52 million project to reinvest in the substations that serve the West Coast,” she said.

The West Coast is now oper-ating on power from the Ash hydro electric generating sta-tion near Port Alberni – and that power is within standards, but not always at the 60 hertz fre-quency West Coaster and their digital timepieces are used to.

The temporal abnormality could last until Sept. 24, Lou-wers said.

“It’s probably a good idea for people use the older wrist watches nobody has, and bat-tery clocks on walls … they’re going to have get creative on how they’re keeping time,” she said.

photo courtesy Lucia Lyons

WEIRD NEWS

‘Islanding’ leaves West Coast in a time warp

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Page 3: Tofino-Ucluelet Westerly News, September 23, 2015

The Westerly News | Page 3Wednesday, September 23, 2015

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

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

WHO WE AREJackie Carmichael, [email protected] Bailey, [email protected] Carmichael, [email protected]

CONTACT USP.O. Box 317, Ucluelet B.C. V0R 3A0102-1801 Bay St., UclueletPh: 250-726-7029Fax: [email protected]

DEADLINES Display ads Friday at 2pmCall 250-534-9213 [email protected]

Classified adsTuesday at 9 a.m.Call [email protected]

Online adsStart anytimeCall [email protected] Letters to the editorFriday at [email protected]

SUBSCRIPTIONSLocal area: $75.18Seniors (local): $63.91Canada: $84.56U.S.: $155.18To subscribe call:1-888-311-7713or 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 the VI Newspaper Group Limited Partnership, 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.

$5,000 of tools stolen from locked van

Shuttle idea gets some considerationANDREW BAILEYWesterly News

As they celebrate another successful Summer Shuttle sea-son, Tofitian officials are investigating the feasibility of West Coast wide transit.

Tofino’s 2015 sea-sonal summer shuttle service wrapped up last week.

The program cost $44,100 this year with $20,700 coming from Resort Municipality Initiative dollars and the remainder from the Federal Gas Tax Fund.

Tofino Mayor Josie Osborne told the West-erly that Tofino’s coun-cil sees the shuttle as an important service.

“The shuttle provides a convenient way for visitors and locals to

get between down-town, beaches, and the various businesses accessible along the highway,” she said.

“We think it’s an important service to help reduce traffic and parking congestion downtown and at the beach parking lots and to assist those visitors who’ve arrive by bus or plane and want a car-free stay in Tofino. There are also an increasing number of people who arrive by car but keen to help curb their own green-house gas emissions

and ride a bike or take the shuttle while they are in Tofino.”

When the shuttle program was first launched in 2007, patrons were charged $2 to ride but this charge was nixed last year and Osborne said the free rides will con-tinue next season.

“Eliminating the $2 fare resulted in a three-fold increase in rider-ship, and anecdotally I’ve heard from several locals - especially par-ents with small chil-dren - that making the shuttle free inspired

them to use it to get around,” she said.

She added the shuttle does not just cater to tourists.

“About 30% of the rid-ers are local residents, who use the shuttle to get to work and to get out to the beaches. It’s a convenient way for parents with strollers

See TRANSIT, P. 20

ANDREW BAILEYWesterly News

A van parked at a construction site on Lorne White Place in Ucluelet was smashed into last week.

The van was locked but the thief, or thieves, smashed a win-dow to gain access sometime during the night on Sept. 17, according to Const. Chris Squire who said about $5,000 worth of tools was stolen from inside the vehicle.

Around the same time the van was broken into, a bicycle was stolen on Cynamocha Road.

Squire said the bike was locked but the lock was cut.

He added the bike was taken “very, very, close to the other theft and it’s likely the two

(thefts) were related.”Police had no suspects at

press time but anyone with any information is encouraged to contact the Ukee RCMP detach-ment at 250-726-7773.

Camping pair sought for suspect behaviour

Two men camping in a moto-rhome at the end of Elina Road in Ucluelet drew police atten-tion last week.

The pair was spotted acting suspiciously around 10 a.m. on Sept. 18.

“As they were walking down the road, they were looking in

windows of vehicles parked on the street,” said Const. Squire.

“There’s a million reasons why they might be looking in the windows; they might like the kind of vehicle and want to see what it’s like inside, but there’s the other possibility that they were looking for things to steal.”

Police have a license plate number for the motorhome and will speak to its owner about the two men.

“We’re going to follow up that way,” Squire said adding the two men are believed to be from out of town.

“We’re going to follow up with the (motorhome’s) owners and see what they have to say.”

[email protected]

TH U R S DAY 24 FR I DAY 25 SAT U R DAY 26 SU N DAY 27 MO N DAY 28 TU E S DAY 29

Rain16/9

Partly cloudy16/8

Sunny17/12

Sunny16/9

Sunny17/9

Showers17/11

Son BirdRefuse & Recycling 250-726-4406

Chris Bird 250-726-8144

Sept. 23 Ucluelet RECYCLESREMEMBER — Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!

TIDES Local tides brought to

you by:Thursday 24 Friday 25 Saturday 26 Sunday 27 Monday 28 Tuesday 29 Wednesday 30

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

04:07 0.9 3.010:37 3 9.816:24 1.5 4.922:24 3.3 10.8

05:01 0.7 2.311:24 3.2 10.517:19 1.2 3.923:23 3.4 11.2

05:49 0.6 2.012:06 3.5 11.518:10 0.9 3.0

00:16 3.6 11.806:34 0.5 1.612:48 3.7 12.118:59 0.6 2.0

01:07 3.7 12.107:17 0.6 2.013:28 3.8 12.519:47 0.4 1.3

01:57 3.7 12.107:59 0.7 2.314:09 3.9 12.820:35 0.3 1.0

02:46 3.6 11.808:43 0.8 2.614:51 3.9 12.821:23 0.3 1.0

The Westerly News | Page 3Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Dave Christensen

midislandrealty.comTofi no & Ucluelet 250-726-8113

[email protected]

MID ISLAND REALTY

Ucluelet / Tofi no726-2228 725-2038

midislandrealty.com

FINE ART &VINTAGE FOR

THE HOME

NOWOPENWeekends11am–5pm286 Main St.

JacopoGalleriaJacopoGalleria

250-726-2077

CARGO

Supporting local charities

Discounts for donations

Page 4: Tofino-Ucluelet Westerly News, September 23, 2015

Page 4 | The Westerly News Wednesday, September 23, 2015Page 4 | The Westerly News Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Opinion

Wild salmon play an integral role for coastal livelihoods, cultures, and ecosystems in Clayoquot Sound. And they lead incredible lives, starting in fresh water then migrating to the ocean. Salmon stay at sea for years before their homing instincts guide them back, to the fresh water systems they were conceived in, to reproduce. Celebrating this magnificent species is what inspired Friends of Clayoquot Sound to organize the first ever, Clayo-

quot Salmon Festival!The festival aims to offer

residents and visitors an oppor-tunity to reflect upon, and build an active appreciation for, the irreplaceable value of salmon in

Clayoquot Sound. From September 23 – September 30 there will be a variety of events, with some-thing for everyone, from elders to youth.

The appreciation week is timed to coincide with the return of the salmon on the coast. Anyone who has witnessed salmon hurling themselves upriver and over obstacles during the spawn knows their tenacious drive to give life to the next generation. In this spirit, the festival kicks off with education games and activities kids and families.

While salmon are a keystone species supporting wildlife such as orcas, bears, and wolves and giv-ing life to the old growth forests, salmon are also under significant stress in the environment from water pollutants and climate change. To generate continuing discussion about the issues facing salmon, the festival is presenting a documentary screening of “The Breach” as well as a speakers forum.

Festival goers can also build active appreciation in the territory by supporting the conservation fundraiser co-hosted with Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks. While an art exhibit reception, celebrating the works of coastal artists, as well as a perform-ance activism expo, will provide creative oppor-tunities to empower salmon solidarity.

Our ad on Page 2 outlines the 2015 events sched-ule with time and location details. To support in a volunteer capacity or contact the festival organ-izers, email: [email protected]. For sponsors, partici-pating businesses, and updates, please check the festival website www.focs.ca/salmonfestival or Clayoquot Salmon Festival on Facebook.

Jeh Custerra is the campaigner for Friends of Clayoquot Sound.

FOCS plans Salmon fest Sept. 23-30

COMMENT

JEH CUSTERRA/LOCAL VOICE

There has been a healthy debate in B.C. for many years regarding how we as British Columbians grow our economy and provide for our families while ensuring that our natural environment remains one of the most enviable in the world.

Aquaculture is now a part of our B.C. fabric, and one of the topics of debate is about the affects

that farming salmon may have on wild salmon popu-lations. It’s important to put rhetoric aside and look at trends in data over the long-

term. Data collected by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) programs and recorded since 1953 indicates that over the past 60 years, salmon returns in Clayoquot Sound have followed an oscillating, variable cycle from year to year.

This is a natural variability in salmon stocks, with some years being very few returns and some years being exponential of the previous. Variabil-ity is also further introduced with enhancement projects. There are no indications that these stocks are greatly reduced or changed in recent years. In cases where a reduction seems to be occurring, historical data indicates that these trends are not unusual. After all, this past sum-mer saw unprecedentedly high temperatures and low freshwater run off conditions. Obviously, these conditions are not optimal for survival of wild salmon.

Salmon on farms are very healthy: more than 90% of survive from the time they are entered into the ocean environment to when they are sent to market. There are hundreds of tests conducted every year by industry, government regulators and third-party labs – confirming healthy fish.

The most recent public process to look into the myriad of what might affect the survival of wild salmon, the Cohen Commission, was completed in 2012. The Commission’s final report made 75 rec-ommendations on actions to be taken to improve the sustainability of Fraser River sockeye.

Thirteen of those recommendations were relat-ed to aquaculture – all of which salmon farmers agree with. With respect to the 2009 decline of Fraser River sockeye the Commission high-lighted what it theorized as the “primary” cause of the decline: that is, poor ocean conditions that resulted in lack of food for young salmon when they exited the river and entered the ocean.

See SALMON, Page 8

JEREMY DUNN/REGIONALVOICE

Value workers instead of scolding over housing

Want to raise your aquaculture awareness? Tonight you’ll have the opportunity to hear from Dr. Alexan-dra Morton, BC’s leading advocate for wild salmon.

Dr. Morton started her biologist career as a killer whale researcher, but as salmon farms began to move into her home waters of northern

Vancouver Island, she noticed a dramatic decline in wild salmon populations which began to affect the orcas. She shifted her focus, and since has published

25 scientific papers on the effects of salmon farming on wild salmon, been featured on CBC’s Ideas, CBS’s 60 Minutes, and in the award-win-ning film Salmon Confidential.

Although the wild rivers of Clayo-quot Sound provide abundant pris-tine habitat, salmon runs are now numbering in the tens, rather than tens of thousands.

Wild salmon must run a gauntlet of fish farms, both as out-migrat-ing smolts, and as returning adult spawners. Governments’ own review committees have repeatedly rec-ommended shifting to closed con-tainment systems, yet no steps have been taken to get the farms out of the ocean.

As recently as 2012, the Cohen Commission report reflected con-cerns about disease transfer from farms to wild stocks.

It seems BC’s wild salmon are going the route of the East Coast cod fishery. Yet there is still time to prevent this.

Dr. Morton will be speaking this evening at Tin Wis Convention Centre, with special guest John Rampanen from Ahousaht and Kelsemaht First Nations.

Doors open at 7pm, and the event will start at 7:30. Admission is free and everyone is welcome!

Alexandra Morton to speak tonight in Tuff

Photo of protesters at Cermaq fi sh farm in Ahousaht courtesy Lennie John

DANLEWIS/LOCAL VOICE

In response to your article in the Westerly News (illegal camping in tuff).

I’ve lived in various vehicles for months on end and “camped” wherever I had to over the years while I was working in Tofino sim-

ply because I did not have any other choice!Most of the people following the rules

are doing it out of necessity not choice. The

reality is there is NO housing available, AT ALL in the summer time at least in Tofino.

The bylaw officers DO patrol the area and they do harass people about it, more so than any other jurisdiction in the province besides maybe Whistler.

I suggest the people that are complaining about the illegal campers start focussing their energy in lobbying the municipal and provincial governments into creating long term sustainable affordable rental housing

for workers in Tofino (as Whistler did, they created the Whistler Housing Authority)

I now have to commute from Ucluelet now that I have a car that is good on gas. That is really the only option to summer workers that are not provided accommo-dation in Tofino. That or, squat. I think the Tofino residents and council need to start thinking about their long term goals as a community because as it stands now there is no way for a community to grow or exist

if you have staff sleeping in tents and vans that are being scolded even though they are the ones who cook the meals, drive your buses, etc. The blue collar staff are valu-able to a community and should be treated that way, not scolded because they have no where else to go.

Chris Christianson lives in Ucluelet and works in Tofino.

CHRIS CHRISTIANSON/LOCAL VOICE

Salmon cyclevaries with many factors

Page 5: Tofino-Ucluelet Westerly News, September 23, 2015

The Westerly News | Page 5Wednesday, September 23, 2015

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50% Off promotion is applicable on adult, child, BC Senior, student, and persons with disabilities regular passenger fares. *Major and Minor routes: Offer valid on select sailings September 8 – October 15, 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. Not valid on Thanksgiving Monday, October 12, 2015. **Northern Routes: Offer valid on all sailings October 1 – October 31, 2015, on the following routes: Inside Passage; Haida Gwaii; Discovery Coast Connector; Skidegate – Alliford Bay, in either direction. Experience Card, Resident and Group discounts will be increased to match the promotional discount on promotional sailings. Not applicable for BC Ferries Vacations pre-bundled packages. Limited time offer. Other conditions may apply. Please visit bcferries.com for full details on applicable sailings. Coupon is not required to receive the discount. Reg. 48839.

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THE COAST

The Westerly News | Page 5Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Drive for Food Bank on the Edge raises 1,545 lbs.

UKEE ROCKS our VOLUNTEERS ROCK!!! What a successful food drive that concluded this past

Saturday. All 1,545 lbs.of food were delivered to our local Food Bank on the Edge that serves our west coast communities.

White bags with yellow flyers were delivered around parts of Ucluelet earlier in the week and

pick up finished on Saturday. We were inspired by the goodness shown at every home that filled a bag or a box to support those in need adminis-tered by the Food Bank on the Edge.

Though the roads were wet our spirits were certainly not. A grand thank you to the Wester-ly News and 99.5 FM for broadcasting the food drive.

We have now completed 5 years of the BC Thankgiving Food Drive in Ukee and every year

you add to the donations offered from the year before. It is for those in need administered by the Food Bank on the Edge powered by good folks like you that offer willingly and our eager volunteers that make it all so successful.

It was said during the sorting of the donat-ed food items at the food bank that it was like Christmas in anticipation of opening each bag or box to see what had been generously donated. Cool.

So again THANK YOU UKEE for making it so worth while. For those that missed us we will be back again next year at the same time. Those who might wish to assist in doing a good thing can contact me directly. Ukee Rocks!!

Alan Anderson is the Food Drive Organizer.

I have been leading this dance fitness fundraiser in Tofino for the last two years and have been

overwhelmed with the out-pouring of sup-port and gener-osity from the community.

Last year we were able to donate almost $1800 dollars to the Keep-A-Breast Foundation. Local businesses called ME to donate gift certifi-cates to use as door prizes for the participants. Where else does that happen? Then we had over 120 adults and kids show up in their finest spandex for the night of booty shaking. That’s so many people for such a small town! It’s unbelievable!

These days almost every indi-vidual knows someone who’s taken on breast cancer. It’s a cause close to my heart because I watched my mother fight it and win. I’m so proud of her! Jacky Challenger, who does our yoga cool-down, watched her mother fight the same battle.

Keep A Breast is an organiza-tion that aims to eradicate breast cancer by exposing young people to methods of prevention, early detection and support. That’s something we can all get behind.

The dances are all easy to pick up and pretty ridiculous. The night is filled with laughter and love!

Before I’d even set this year’s date, Epic Pharmacy donated an IPod to the cause, Shelter sent

over a $100 dollar gift certifi-cate, and then Coastal Bliss dropped off a 5 punch yoga pass. Now the district has donated the space for the evening. It’s insane! I LOVE THIS COMMUNITY!

If you’d like to take part in this year’s “Zumba for Boobies” show up at the Tofino Community Hall at 6 pm on Tuesday Sept. 29th in your brightest work-out gear. Our suggested dona-tion is $10 dollars, but if you’re feeling wealthy feel free to give more! You’ll be entered to win one of the door prizes, and you’re guar-anteed to leave feeling as though you’ve contributed to something great. Feel free to

contact me at 726-6172 for more information.

ALANANDERSON/LOCAL VOICE

Time for Zumba for Boobies fundraiser

KAELA TOMPKINS/LOCAL VOICE

COMMENT

Page 6: Tofino-Ucluelet Westerly News, September 23, 2015

Page 6 | The Westerly News Wednesday, September 23, 2015

So you’ve made your will and named your executor.

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Page 6 | The Westerly News Wednesday, September 23, 2015

NORA O’MALLEYSpecial to Westerly News A fleet of 101 neoprene-clad kids

stormed North Chesterman Beach in Tofino to paddle out at the 2nd Annual Bruhwiler Kids Surf

Classic. Despite relentless rain,

the kids were all stoked on Saturday. Powered by hot chocolate and hot dogs, they marched into cold water, starting with the U10 Girls and wrapping with the U18 Boys Final.

While the waves were pushing a crisp 1-2 feet out back, the whitewash was where the action took place and where most of the young competitors earned points for: commitment shown on a wave, length of ride, and ability to perform any basic maneuver.

Canadian surfing icon and event organizer Raph Bruh-wiler said the Bruhwiler Kids Surf Classic competition, along with the Queen of the Peak and the Rip Curl Pro, are key events to developing local talent from an early age.

“You’re naturally com-petitive when you’re young

and it’s something to push them. That’s how they progress. They surf with people that are better than them,” said the Coast Guard member and father of three.

“The more contests there are, the better they’ll be at surfing contests, really. It’s just practice. And that’s the thing, when we were growing up there weren’t

that many contests and we all wanted to do them, but you gotta drive down to California. The kids there do one every weekend,” Bruhwiler said.

Parents are clearly eager for big surf days as well. The Bruhwilers had to cut registration off at 101

See SURF Page 7

Bruhwiler Kids Surf Classic a hit in TofinoYOUTH

Page 7: Tofino-Ucluelet Westerly News, September 23, 2015

The Westerly News | Page 7Wednesday, September 23, 2015

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The Westerly News | Page 7Wednesday, September 23, 2015

SURF, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6kids this year – 51 entrants were

slotted into the competitive div-ision and 50 into the expression sessions.

Raph Bruhwiler told the Wester-ly News that his family plans on keeping their namesake surf com-petition going next year.

“It’s good to keep the kids in the ocean. We have it here so we might as well use it,” he said.

And while the kids contest was heavily focused on fun, with a girls vs. boys tug-of-war (girls won), a craft station, and several prize giveaways, the kids definite-ly weren’t ignorant to the fact that they were in competition. Eight-year-old Karson Gibson placed fourth in the U10 Boys division. His ultimate goal? “I want to come in first in every event I enter,” he said with a grin.

Like most competitors at North Chesterman Beach on Saturday, Gibson learned to surf almost before he could run fast or jump. Now, he regularly practices at South Chesterman’s with his older sister Haydin and friends from Tofino.

RESULTS:

Saturday, Sept. 19, 2015 at North Chester-man’s - Bruhwiler Kids Surf Classic

U10 GIRLS1. Sanoa Olin2. Jasmine Porter3. Aqua Bruhwiler4. Serena Porter5. Chloe Platenius6. Sofia Bruhwiler

U10 BOYS1. Shea Bruhwiler2. Hudson

Egles-McKinnon3. Kobe Bruhwiler4. Karson Gibson5. Orion LeFevre6. Kyten Traviss

U14 GIRLS1. Mathea Olin2. Keanna Hasz3. Trinity

Egles-McKinnon4. Nevaeh Egles-McKinnon5. Leigha Auld6. Mackenzie Helliwell-Hale

U14 BOYS1. Reed Platenius 2. Freddy Sanford

3. Mac Costigan4. Nik Dwolinsky5. Seth Steere

U18 Boys1. Kalum Temple Bruhwiler2. Andrew Sadler3. Justin Waddell

LEFT, U10 Boys and best friends Karson Gibson and Shea Bruhwiler with dad Raph Bruhwiler. Photos, Nora O’Malley.

Page 8: Tofino-Ucluelet Westerly News, September 23, 2015

Page 8 | The Westerly News Wednesday, September 23, 2015

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Page 8 | The Westerly News Wednesday, September 23, 2015

LEFT: Escapement data for the rivers and streams in Clayoquot Sound fisheries management area shows fluctuations over a half-century.

Fisheries & Oceans Canada, courtesy BCFA

HEART, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

to have a record of the remarkable jour-ney through transplant and a new begin-ning. At her side – and on her side - he started posting thoughtful, well-penned vignettes about her day-to-day existence.

“I called it SNN – the Sharon News Net-work,” he said with a smile.

The community has rallied around the Sanfords in true West Coast fashion.

Jennifer Hoar’s bake sale at Co-op raised almost $1,000. Dale Holliday at

Officials is throwing a game night for the Sanfords this Sunday, Sept. 27. It starts at 3 p.m. with a meat-draw bingo, followed by Texas Hold ‘Em tourney and silent auction, all funds raised go to help the Sanfords with their expenses.

“We’re just having a day of fun to make some coin for them,” Holliday said.

Her friends followed the SNN each step of the way. They’re part of her larger circle – the kind of people who might

pay $5 for a cookie, or give money to her GoFundMe account if it will help the Sanfords with the extraordinary costs of staying in Vancouver until she comes all the way home.

“I’ve got a great network – I call it my bubble … It’s so much love and energy. I believe in positive energy and however that energy comes – good vibes, thinking about me, prayers – whatever that energy is that someone has to send,” she said.

“I’m so freaking posi-tive about it – I was under this cloud of dread for so long.

“Now my head’s clear, I feel positive and ener-getic,” she said, noting the pleased surprise of her nurses when she rebounded quickly enough to leave the hospital early.

“I’m always the girl with the complica-tions,” she said with a chuckle.

Her experience may have already made an impact into the future.

“So many people I know have gone out and filled out a donor card, just because,” she said.

Her recovery has been remarkable, and photos reveal a woman with a new glow, new colour in her cheeks – and a new heart shining through.

“The only time I think about it is when I feel my pulse and it’s not ‘my’ pulse .. all of a sudden, I’ve got this same steady heart beat and it’s foreign to me,” she said.

[email protected]

Salmon on Canada’s West Coast are recognized globally as relatively well managed. Rehabilitation efforts are having a positive effect, and the atten-tiveness of marine users will ensure that these stocks continue to be closely mon-itored and cared for.

Like many of us who live on the coast,

salmon farmers want to learn more about wild salmon and ensure they remain abundant for generations to come, and are building research partner-ships with academics, NGO’s and gov-ernment to help gain that knowledge.

We invite those who are interested to learn more on our website www.bcsal-

monfarmers.ca or through the robust set of data available through Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

Jeremy Dunn is executive director of the B.C. Salmon Farmers Association.

SALMON, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1www.westerlynews.ca

Page 9: Tofino-Ucluelet Westerly News, September 23, 2015

The Westerly News | FALL 2015

The West Coast’sAmazing Whales

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photo credit Laura MacPherson, Beachcomber Ocean Tours

The Westerly News | Page 9Wednesday, September 23, 2015

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Page 10: Tofino-Ucluelet Westerly News, September 23, 2015

Page 10 | The Westerly News Wednesday, September 23, 2015

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The Westerly News Fall 2015

Tofi no artist Claire Watson is working on a project that capitalizes on a hot new trend: colouring books for grown-ups.

This picture is entitled “West Coast Orcas Off Tofi no BC.”

Watson, who designed the poster for the 2015 Pacifi c Rim Whale Festival, is an Artist, il-lustrator and freelance graphic designer living with her husband, two kids and Mexican mutt aboard their 42’ Cheoy Lee Ketch in Tofi no, ac-cording to the Festival’swebsite.

She moved from Ga-briola Island in 2013. www.clairewatson.com.

(Feel free to colour this one! )

NORA O’MALLEY Special to Westerly News EDITOR’S NOTE: Born and

raised on the BC coast, and resident of Vancouver Island since 1996, tourism industry professional Corene Inouye from Jamie’s Whaling Station in Tofino and Ucluelet says fall is a great time for whale watching, bear watching, Hot Springs Cove, and other ocean adventure tours on the West Coast.

WN: What can people expect to see this time of year?

CORENE: We have been seeing gray whales, transient orcas, the occasional humpback whale, seals, sea lions, sea otters and a myriad of other marine life …We are fortunate to see the same wildlife throughout the fall as we do in the summer season.

WN: What are some of the

advantages to booking a guided tour?

CORENE: You’re getting know-ledge. You’re getting informed background built on years of experience. Some of our guides have degrees in marine biology. A

lot of our guides have lived here their whole lives, so you’ll get to hear about some of the cultural aspects as well.

WN: What are the options in terms of vessels?

CORENE: Between all of the

operators here, there are many options. Our company, specif-ically, offers both smaller open, high-speed vessels (commonly referred to as “zodiacs”), as well as larger boats offering indoor setting seating and outdoor view-ing decks. There are also tours that you can do on your own power, such as kayaks and canoes

WN: How should I dress?CORENE: Year round, we advise

our patrons to wear warm layers because it is always a lot colder on the open ocean. So, I guess to keep it simple, wear even warmer layers and dress for West Coast conditions such as rain!

WN: How do charters give whales their space?

CORENE: We are always respectful of their space and fol-low distance guidelines that are

in place for responsible viewing of wild animals in our area. Clos-er encounters may occur when whales or other wildlife approach boats. If we have the engines shut down and we’re just drifting out there, there’s always a chance they will come close to us.

WN: Is now a good time to book a tour?

CORENE: Although it’s variable weather wise, it can be a really beautiful time to go out on any excursion on the ocean. It’s def-initely a quieter time, so perhaps more intimate even… It’s our crews’ favourite time of year! It’s not quite as busy as our peak summer months.

inset, orcas photo courtesy Jamie’s guide Eugene Stewart.

Q&A: Corene Inouye talks whale tours

West Coast Winter/Spring Events CalendarSeptember 19-27: Cultural Heritage

Festival, sponsored by Pacific Rim Arts Society - A “Surfing the West Coast” theme leads this series of art exhibits, demos, and family events in Tofino and Ucluelet.

October 3 - Multiplex Scramble, fundraiser, Long Beach Golf Course

October 2-4: Queen of the Peak- Western Canada’s all-female surf contest includes longboard, short-board, and under 16 “Princess of the Peak” categories with cash prizes.

October 23-25: Tofino Paddle Surf SUP Invitational

Halloween - Halloween Howl in Ucluelet, Tofino

November 19-22: Clayoquot Oyster Festival - Popular event featuring oyster farm tours, oyster and wine tastings, educational seminars, Mermaid’s Masquerade and Oys-ter Gala.

Late November - Midnight Madness in Ucluelet

West Coast Winter Music Series: annual series of concerts at Clayo-quot Community Theatre.

Early December: Jingle Into Christ-mas in Tofino

Early December: Winter Celebration Artisan Festival, Tofino

Christmas Sail Past, parade of boats alight with Christmas bulbs. in Ucluelet.

December - Ucluelet Aquarium Release Day, everyone helps release the creatures into the harbour.

2016January 1 - Polar bear swims in

Ucluelet and Tofino. Brrr! January-April: Storm Season Family Day: February - 5km walk,

run or jog on Tofino’s Chester-man Beach

Spring: Great Gray Whale Migration. March: Pacific Rim Whale Festival

and ArtSplash! Inspirational talks,

interpretive walks, children’s fun, culinary events, First Nations cul-tural workshops, and spring art show.

Easter - Combined Multi-church Good Friday Service, Long Beach Golf Course, benefits local charity.

April: Pacific Rim Tea Festival - Fun and educational events exploring the world of tea.

For more information, visit www.ucluelet.ca and www.tourismto-fino.com

Page 11: Tofino-Ucluelet Westerly News, September 23, 2015

The Westerly News | Page 11Wednesday, September 23, 2015

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How West Coast are you? Count how many of the things on this sand bucket list you’ve done - and start crossing them off!

1. Take a surfing lesson. 2. Take a tour to Hot Springs Cove (bring bathers!) 3. Learn to fly-fish. Take

a salmon charter. 4. Hike the Wild Pacific Trail. 5. Golf at Long Beach Golf Course, unique for golfing 365 days a year. 6. Flightsee with a local airline. 7. Pamper: visit a spa. 8. Walk the MUP. 9. Go for a zipline ride. 10. Find a local musi-

cian and listen to them. 11. See an octopus up close at the Ucluelet Aquarium. 12. Go stand-up paddle boarding. 13. Visit a West Coast Little Free Library, give or take a book (Westerly News office, St Columba Church, Tofino Legion,

Common Loaf Bake Shop). 14. Kayak! 15. Get a book on birding and go! 16. Check out the Eik Cedar’s fancy girdle. 17. See what is UNDER a rock at the beach. 18. Book a tour. 19. Get your picture taken at the Raven Lady. 20. Visit

Tofino Botanical Gardens. 21. Walk Tonquin Trail. 22. Visit a rainforest in PRNPR. 23. See how many kinds of moss you can dis-cover. 24. Learn why the 100-year-old Amphitrite Light was built. 25. Plan your next visit!

Page 12: Tofino-Ucluelet Westerly News, September 23, 2015

The Westerly News Fall, 2015

JACKIE CARMICHAELWesterly News

On the West Coast of Vancouver Island, whales aren’t just serious business for a vibrant tourism industry.

The science and wellbeing of whales is top of mind in Tofino and Ucluelet.

News that Pacific Rim National Park Reserve officials were pursuing chargers against reckless boaters who crowd the massive mar-ine mammals was met with appreciation from local whale enthusiasts.

An experi-enced and knowledgeable cadre of local whale-watching tour operators

work to vigilantly guard the gentle giants even as they help the public gain a first-hand appreciation of them.

The annual through-migration of whales come spring brings the largest West Coast festival - the Pacific Rim Whale Festival - and thousands of visitors around spring break.

And along with the fun of the Whalefest Parade and all manner of cetacean celebra-tions at venues ranging from bakeries and bookshops to the amazing catch-and-re-lease Ucluelet Aquarium, there are fascin-

ating and important sessions on the sci-ence of the ocean.

The Board of Directors of the Clayoquot Biosphere

Trust (CBT) recently named the Pacific Wildlife Foundation recipient of the 2015 CBT $20,000 Research Award for their research proposal on Gray Whale Society.

Dr. Jim Darling, a familiar and know-ledgeable West Coast source of information about whales, is the principle investigator for the project. He will analyze over 40 years of local gray whale sightings and 20 years of DNA samples to further develop his theory on gray whale social structure.

“There is virtually nothing known about the social organization of gray whales- or for that matter any baleen whale,” said Darling.

“Supporting scientific research is a key objective of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve program,” said Rebecca Hurwitz, CBT’s executive director, shown at left presenting the grant to Darling.

To learn more, visit

www.clay-oquotbio-sphere.org.

Research and support for marine wildlife comes from various sectors.

The Straw-berry Isle Marine Research Society attracts a dedicated corps of volunteers who help principal investigator Rod Palm with studying and monitoring the West Coast marine environment.

To get involved or donate, visit www.strawberryisle.org.

[email protected]

Above left, Whale flukes, courtesy www.jamies.com and www.matthewmaran.com. Below, the poster for the 2016 Pacific Rim Whale Festival, created by Samuel David Bovenlander. This is will be the 30th annual PRWF.

Science, welfare of whales important Page 12 | The Westerly News Wednesday, September 23, 2015

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Page 13: Tofino-Ucluelet Westerly News, September 23, 2015

The Westerly News | Page 13Wednesday, September 23, 2015

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JACKIE CARMICHAEL Westerly News After some near misses - and a

lacerated whale turning up dead on Wickaninnish Beach - safety around cetaceans is coming to the forefront on the West Coast.

Parks Canada is reminding the public of safe boating practices when approaching marine mammals in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve.

“We’ve had about 7 complaints about vessels getting too close to marine mammals inside the PRNPR,” said PRNPR’s Jona-than Hopkins.

“We are pursuing charges in a couple of those.”

Boaters are asked to observe a 100-metre no-go zone around marine mammals, and to reduce speed and use extra vigilance around marine mammals, Hop-

kins said. Experienced tour guides know

gentle boaters being careful around whales may find there are rewards as the animals may approach them out of curiosity, said Cam MacPherson of Beach-comber Ocean Tours in Ucluelet.

Thirty-five grey whales have been frequenting the area along the West Coast Trail of the park, and 10 to 20 of them have been observed in the Barkley Sound, particularly Pachena Bay, an area known for sport fishing. There is an increased risk of injury to the whales in these areas from speeding vessels.

To ensure the safety of wildlife, boat operators are reminded to follow best boating practices, including observing a 100 metre “no go zone” around all marine mammals at all

times, reducing speed when in their vicinity, and being extra vigilant on the water.

There have been recent reports of sport vessels approaching too close to marine mammals, specifically speeding over grey whales feeding close to the shoreline.

Parks Canada is concerned about the increased likelihood of collisions and injuries to the whales, Hopkins said.

Along with partners, Parks Canada has increased patrols. Disturbing wildlife in a national park is a serious offence and can lead to significant fines.

Members of the public are asked to report all incidents of vessels approaching mar-ine mammals to call Parks Canada’s 24 hour dispatch at 1-877-852-3100.

Parks Canada to press charges on boaters whoencroach on whales

This photo, taken within the marine boundaries of Pacifi c Rim National Park Reserve in Barkley Sound, show a speeding boat passing dangerously close to a whale.

WHALE SAFETY

Page 14: Tofino-Ucluelet Westerly News, September 23, 2015

Page 14 | The Westerly News Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Page 15: Tofino-Ucluelet Westerly News, September 23, 2015

The Westerly News | Page 15Wednesday, September 23, 2015

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The Westerly News | Page 15Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Build-A-Whale goes up Island MIKE DAVIES Campbell River Mirror

Strawberry Isle Marine Research Society’s interactive Build-a-Whale display has hit the road, and youngsters in Campbell River are benefiting from this large-as-cetacean life puzzle

Build-a-Whale is on loan to the Discovery Passage Aquarium.

“We’ve got the Build-a-Whale for a couple of months. It comes from the Strawberry Isle Marine Research Society near Tofino, and the whale is a real skeleton from an off-shore orca who washed ashore in 1997,” said Deb Cowper, manager of the Aquarium and Explorer Lab.

“What we do is we have an hour-long pro-gram where we actually build the whale,” Cow-per said. “It’s very inter-active. We talk about the whales, we talk

about the different eco-types of whales we have around here, we talk about how it’s a mammal and how we’re mammals, and then we build it.

“Then we talk about some of the threats to the Orcas, and everybody has a good time and learn a lot.”

The dead whale, named O-120, was discovered about 17 miles off the west coast of the Island in 1997, towed to shore and cleaned before being made into the educational display.

“They say it took over 700

man-hours to clean the bones,” Cowper said, “so it was obvious-ly quite an ordeal.”

So what can people learn from building a model of a whale with the bones of a whale that they can’t learn from a book – or from Wikipedia?

“From a book, you can learn a lot of different facts and things, but with this you can really feel and connect and really get a sense of it,” Cowper said.

Classes of children from the schools will build the whale.

Page 16: Tofino-Ucluelet Westerly News, September 23, 2015

Page 16 | The Westerly News Wednesday, September 23, 2015Page 16 | The Westerly News Wednesday, September 23, 2015

ANDREW BAILEY Westerly News

Tofino’s recently revamped fire hall will soon welcome a brand new fire truck as council has given staff the official go ahead to purchase a $502,000 Fire Service Pumper Truck from Asphodel Fire Trucks Ltd.

The district received six

responses to a request for propos-als sent out on July 10, with two of them being immediately dis-carded because they came in after the July 20 due date, according to a report submitted by Tofino’s Fire Chief John Gilmour and reviewed by council during Sept. 8’s regular meeting.

Of the four proposals con-sidered, Asphodel’s $502,000

came with the lowest price fol-lowed by $616,204 from Hub Fire Engines, $622,348 from Fort Garry Fire Trucks, and $657,500 from Safetek, according to Gilmour’s report.

After reviewing the report, Coun. Cathy Thicke asked why a fire truck was needed.

“To be quite forthright, I was expecting a little bit more in the

report,” she said. “We’re being

asked for a large sum of money (and) I really have no knowledge as to why we need this. I felt that there needed to be a little bit more back-ground on why the money was set aside...I felt that we should hear more about why such an expensive truck is needed to give us the information so we can make a more informed decision.”

Gilmour was at the meeting and responded that replacing the fire depart-ment’s current truck is overdue.

“This actually

should have been done last year,” he said adding that in order to maintain its fire rating the dis-trict must have a main fire engine under 20 years old.

“Ours is past that due date and we need to replace it to keep our current fire rating,” he said. “Why it’s determined at 20 years is that the manufacturers are only required to keep parts on hand for 20 years…In the event of our pumper going down at this point in its life there is the chance that there won’t be parts available to fix that meaning we would not be able to offer our fire protection in this community,” he said.

Thicke asked if it was possible to purchase a used fire truck rath-er than a brand new one.

Gilmour said he had looked for used trucks in his search but only found one available and deter-mined it would not bring any dol-lar savings to go with it.

“The cost per-year of that truck actually came in pretty close to the new truck because it was a four year old truck,” he said. “The costs associated with the depreci-ation of it there was no real sav-ings…It was less money to go forward with a new truck rather than a used truck.”

He added used fire trucks are hard to come by because munici-palities don’t usually put them up for sale.

“They are very hard to come by because they are bought for specific departments that are going to use them for their life-time,” he said.

The district had about $250,000 saved up to purchase the new truck and the remaining roughly $300,000 will be covered through a loan.

Coun. Greg Blanchette asked how this loan would be amor-tized but the district’s director of finance responded that this infor-mation will not be known until a later date.

Coun. Al Anderson asked if the district planned to sell the truck it is replacing.

Gilmour said sale options would be sought but added it is rare for a community to be looking for a fire truck that’s passed its due date.

“That truck’s value is some-where between $5,000-$50,000,” he said. “A community would need to want a second in line pumper or a reserve truck.”

Mayor Josie Osborne asked if Tofino’s neighbouring First Nations communities could use the truck.

Gilmour responded this is an option and the community of Esowista could be interested.

“They don’t have any fire pro-tection in their community so it would be an upgrade. They also don’t need to follow the same underwriter policies that we do,” he said.

Coun. Al Anderson added the truck could possibly help improve the airport’s fire protection.

Council’s approval of purchas-ing the new truck was unanimous.

[email protected]

Tuff council OKs $500K fire truck GOVERNMENT

2 of 6 bids were too late to consider; current truck ‘past its due date’

Page 17: Tofino-Ucluelet Westerly News, September 23, 2015

The Westerly News | Page 17Wednesday, September 23, 2015 Wed, Sept 23, 2015 Ucluelet Western News A17

We are sad to announce that Arnold has passed away after a long struggle with failing health. Predeceased by his parents Edwin and Helen Dugan of Peterborough, Ontario, wife, Adele Dugan of Nanaimo, son, Arnold Dugan Jr. (Nikolis)of Chilliwack, brother, John (Jack) Dugan of Toronto, and sister, Dale Haverstock of Hamilton.

Left to mourn his passing are his longtime partner, Marie McVey of Ucluelet; son, Alex Dugan (Jo-Ann); daughters; Lorraine Dugan (Dunn), Catharine Dugan (Grant Brebber), and Christine Busche (Axel); grandsons, David Dugan, Alexander MacPherson, Matthew Engemoen and Christopher Busche; granddaughters, Deanna Dugan (Gordon Jones), Sarah Engemoen and Jessica Busche (Jason Kelman); great grandson, Ethan Dugan; sister, Marion Joscelyne of Mattawan, NJ; and brother, Paul Dugan of Pleasant Lake, Michigan.

Arnold was an avid sportsman, who stood up for causes close to his heart. A former Nanaimo City Alderman he enjoyed the “great outdoors”. He worked for BC Hydro in Nanaimo as a Lineman and as an Area Forman in Tofino/Ucluelet where he retired. He spent five years as Harbour Manager in Ucluelet and was a founding member of the Long Beach Golf Club.

He will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved him.

A Celebration of Arnold’s Life will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, October 3rd at the Ucluelet Community Hall, 500 Matterson Drive.

To send a condolence to the family please visit www.yatesfuneral.ca

YATES FUNERAL SERVICE & CREMATORIUM(1.877.264.3848) in care of arrangements.

Arnold Lee “Arnie” DuganJanuary 9, 1928 – September 9, 2015

AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OPERATORS

Emcon Services Inc, Road and Bridge Maintenance contractor, is looking for Auxiliary Equipment Operators for the current winter season to perform a variety of winter related road maintenance activities including operating snowplows and sanding trucks.  Operators are needed for Parksville, Nanaimo, Port Alberni, and Ucluelet.

Qualifi cations include:• Valid BC Driver’s Licence (minimum Class 3 / air).• Proven highway trucking experience• Experience driving tandem axle vehicles and • Operating a variety of transmissions.• Pre-employment drug screening

Qualifi ed applicants are invited to submit résumés, along with photocopy of driver’s licence, an up-to-date driver’s abstract, and references to substantiate driving experience to:

Emcon Services Inc. 1435 Springhill Road Parksville, BC V9P 2T2 Fax: 250-248-5574*Please specify the area that you would be able to work*

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INFORMATION

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LEGALS

In Accordance With The Warehouse Lien Act

A 2001 Ford Focus VIN # 1FAFP36391W352572

Debtor: Jessica Lorraine Jackson. Amount of debt as of September 15, 2015 $784. To be sold by sealed bid.

Please submit bids to Long Beach

Automotive, PO Box 933, #3-671 Industrial Way,

Tofi no, BC V0R 2Z0. Bids Close

October 7 2015

DEATHS

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

LEGALS

In Accordance With The Warehouse Lien Act

A 2002 Mazda B4000 VIN #4F4ZR47EX2TM19181

Debtor: Chris Maybaum. Amount of debt as of Sep-tember 15, 2015 $945. To be sold by sealed bid.

Please submit bids to Long Beach

Automotive, PO Box 933, #3-671 Industrial Way,

Tofi no, BC V0R 2Z0. Bids close

October 7, 2015

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TRADES, TECHNICAL

Full Time PositionSHOP LABOURER

Air brakes required, Class 5 a bonus. Equipment knowl-edge and some computer skills an asset. Wage de-pending on the above.

Please bring resume down to The Ucluelet Rent It

Center, Email: [email protected] or [email protected] Dave, Mayco, or

Robby at 250-726-7368

OMEGA ENGINEERING is hiring Civil & Structural Tech-nologists & Engineers for offi c-es in Salmon Arm, Kelowna, Chilliwack & Langley Resumes to: Jclough@omegaengineer ing.ca, visit us online at www.omegaengineering.ca

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COUNSELLING

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

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

RENTALS

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LARGE SPACIOUS 3 bdrm suite. Big soaker tub, separatebig shower, laundry. Propanestove in oak cabinet kitchenwith patio doors onto big deck.Large yard, hammock, fi re pit,on quiet rural acreage 15 mindrive to Ukee or 30 to Tofi no.Avail. now. $850. Call(250)726-1262.

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FAMILY ANNOUNCEMENTS FAMILY ANNOUNCEMENTS

ALL YOU NEED IN PRINT AND ONLINE

Page 18: Tofino-Ucluelet Westerly News, September 23, 2015

Page 18 | The Westerly News Wednesday, September 23, 2015

The Pacific Rim Arts Soci-

ety’s Cultural Heritage Festival continues.

Surf Exhibit: 19 - 27 September, Kwisitis Visitor Centre,

PRNPRThe West Coast Surf Shack

museum has provided some amazing heritage items from he 70s & 80s, including vintage photos and articles, and planting the seed for a permanent display for the artifacts. PRAS is also pleased to partner with Tofino Arts Council to display the new boards of their exciting Board-walk project painted by well-known local artists. These are hugely exciting projects that will continue well beyond the Festival!

Fine Art Show: 24 - 27 Sep-tember, Black Rock Oceanfront Resort, Ucluelet

Join us for a curated Art exhib-ition, showcasing the best of local talent on the theme of surfing this wonderful coastline! Finishing with the Paddle Battle Art Lottery on the evening of Sunday 27th, an auction-type event like no other!

Brave New Waves w/guests: 25th September, ANAF Ucluelet

Energetic ska/dub/reggae-based

sounds, guaranteed to keep you dancing all night!

Doors at 8pm. $10 ANAF mem-bers, $15 non-members.

Surf Movie Presentation: 26th September, 2pm, Kwisitis Visitor Centre theatre

Adam Chilton presents locally produced surf movies, with spec-tacular surf footage featuring local surfers.

Paddle Battle Art Lottery! 27th

September, 6:30pm, Black Rock Oceanfront Resort, Ucluelet

The chance to win some original artwork, donated by local artists! Those who buy lottery tickets are guaranteed a win, and we have some wonderful original artwork as prizes!! The event is free to attend, and there will be 3 flights of art with 3 ticket values to suit all budgets. The art will be dis-played throughout the art show. Lottery starts at 7:30pm.

ANDREW BAILEYWesterly News The slate of candidates vying for

the privilege of representing the West Coast as MP in the newly redrawn Courtenay-Alberni riding will face their potential constitu-ents at an all-candidates forums in Ucluelet and Tofino in October.

Ucluelet will hold theirs on Oct. 7 at 7pm at Uclulet Community Centre. More about that in next week’s Westerly News.

The Tofino Long Beach Chamber of commerce and Tofino Business Association are co-hosting the forum which will be held on Oct. 8 at the Tofino Community Hall.

The Tofino event will run from 7-9 p.m. and the chamber’s execu-tive director Jen Dart is expecting Tofino’s tuned in voters to turn out in droves.

“The residents of Tofino are pol-itically engaged, so I’m sure there will be a good turnout. I hope that interest also translates to votes

on Election Day, November 18,” Dart told the Westerly.

This will be the first election held under the newly formed Courtenay-Alberni riding and Dart is stoked to see locals bring the candidates up to speed on what’s important to the West

Coast. “Tofino residents’ desires and

concerns may not be the same as in other parts of the riding and we’re hopeful bringing the candi-dates here will give them a sense of our community,” she said.

“I feel the value is having locals

express their concerns and desires directly to the candidates. That means our future represent-ative will have an understanding of what this region needs from a federal perspective. It also gives voters a real sense of each candi-date’s position and views, some-thing that can be hard to gauge from news reports.”

The chamber has hosted a var-iety of all-candidates forums in the past leading up to municipal, provincial and federal elections.

“We’ve learned that community collaboration is key for a success-ful event, so we are seeking input from the public. We will also count on having some volunteers to help with setting up and taking down the Community Hall on the day of the meeting,” she said.

“Here at the Chamber, we’re hoping to also host a candidates’ luncheon on the day of the All

Candidates Meeting so those in the running can hear directly from Chamber members and business owners, and members also have a chance to hear from the candidates in a less formal setting.”

The chamber is seeking the pub-lic’s help to come up with ques-tions to throw the candidates’ way during the forum and sug-gestions can be directed to Dart at [email protected].

andrew.bailey@westerlynews

LEFT: A screenshot taken from www.novotenovoice.ca, launched by the Vancouver Island Real Estate Board as a virtual podium for candidates in

the Island’s four ridings.

Visit www.novotenovoice.ca.

Tofino all-candidate meet set for Oct. 8

23 WEDNESDAY

Clayoquot Salmon Festival starts, FOCS, see page 2 for details

An evening with Alexandra Morton, Tin Wis Conference Centre, 7 p.m., Clayoquot Action.

Pacific Rim Arts Society’s Cul-tural Heritage Festival- West Coast Surf SHAC museum exhib-it at Kwisitis Visitors Centre, PRNPR.

Social, pool, snooker, ping pong, foosball, Tofino Legion, 7-11St. Columba Church, 7 p.m.

24 THURSDAY

Author Ursula Bank launches Once in a Lifetime, Long Beach Lodge from 5-9 p.mHealthy Babies Program/Family Ties, 10:30 a.m., Coastal Family Place, UCC. Ucluelet AA 8 p.m. Holy Family Church, Peninsula Rd.The Edge Youth Room,

3–6p.m., UCC & Youth Nite at the Edge, 6–8p.m. Anglican/United ChurchBible study, 10:30 a.m., UCCSocial, pool, snooker, ping pong, foosball, Tofino Legion, 7-11 Bingo, Tofino Legion 7-10 p.m.

25 FRIDAY

PRAS sponsors Brave New Waves concert, w/guests, ANAF Ucluelet; doors at 8 p.m. $10 ANAF members, $15 for non-members.

Social, pool, snooker, ping pong, foosball, Tofino Legion, 4-9Bingo, Tofino Legion, 7:30 p.m.The Edge Youth Room, 2–6p.m.

26 SATURDAY

Life Beside the Sea Free Inter-pretive Walk with naturalist Ariane Baltic 10 AM Lighthouse Loop, Wild Pacific Trail, Ukee

Sept. 19-27 is Pacific Rim Arts Society’s Surfing the West Coast Cultural Heritage Festival. Surf exhibit at Kwisitis Interpretive

Centre in PRNPR.

Tour de Rock fundraiser BBQ, Co-Op Grocery, Bottle Drive, Head Shaving and Bike Obstacle Race - Ucluelet 11:00am - 2:30pm. Tour de Rock team expected to arrive around 2:45 p.m.

Tofino Public Market, Tofino Village Green, 10 a.m.-2p.m

Local Surf Movie Presentation: 26th September, 2pm, with Adam Chilton; Kwisitis Visitor Centre theatre

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

27 SUNDAYTour de Rock Tofino Fundraiser

Community Breakfast - 9:00am - 10:30am, parking lot in front of the Tofino Legion, riders will arrive at 9:30am. Sponsored by the Tofino Coop and Royal Can-adian Legion Tofin

Explore the Wild Edge with Naturalist Ariane Baltic, Wild Pacific Trail Free Interpretive Walk 10 am Lighthouse Loop,

UkeeFundraiser for Sharon Sanford at Officials in Ucluelet, 3 p.m. start, 6 p.m. Texas Hold ‘Em tourney

PRAS presents Paddle Battle Art Lottery! 27th September, 6:30pm, Black Rock Oceanfront Resort, Ucluelet

Author Ursula Bank launches Once in a Lifetime, at Blackberry Cove Marketplace , 2-5pm.

Christ Community Church,10:30am, 1419 Peninsula Rd.Ucluelet.Grace Bible Church, 10:30am, UCC.Holy Family Church–10:00 a.m. –Ucluelet.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, check FB or Co-Op posters.

28 MONDAYAcoustic jam night, Every Monday. 9-12 p.m. at Officials. Ucluelet AA, 8pm. Holy Family.

Floor hockey, 7–9pm, Uclue-let Seaplane Base Rec Hall. $2 drop-in.Indoor Soccer, 8–10pm, Uclue-let Secondary School gym, $2.Competitive & drop-in darts, 8-11 pm, Tofino Legion.

29 TUESDAY“Zumba for Boobies” Tofino Com-munity Hall at 6 pm Suggested donation $10 dollars

Healthy Babies Program/Family Ties, 10:30am. Coastal Family Place, UCC.

Food Bank on the Edge Distribu-tion 1-3 pm

The Edge Youth Room, 3–6pm, UCC.Youth night, 7-9pm, Tofino Legion.Youth night ANAF Ucluelet. AA meeting, 7:30pm, St. Francis Church, 441 Main, Tofino.St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 5 p.m.

Send calendar items to [email protected] .

Community Calendar

CAMPAIGN TRAIL 2015

PRAS Cultural Heritage Fest continues this week

KATHERINE JABLONOWSKA/LOCAL VOICE

Page 19: Tofino-Ucluelet Westerly News, September 23, 2015

The Westerly News | Page 19Wednesday, September 23, 2015

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The Westerly News | Page 19Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Ursula Banke with her memoir, Once In A Lifetime, set on Beck Island (in the distance).

Special to the Westerly News

It is the fortune-teller who changes your life …She says that you will marry a sailor. You will have five children and live beside a big forest in a cabin surrounded by a picket fence…It feels like she is reading from your dreams. – Once in a Lifetime

Author and artist Ursula Banke was 12 when she first heard the fortune-teller’s prediction. Seeking that promise led her to create her own Robinson Crusoe lifestyle – as an off-grid homesteader on Beck Island with her husband, Carl and raising their two children.

Banke wrote the story about their unique-ly lived life and will launch her memoir, Once in a Lifetime, along with an art show featuring west coast seascapes in Tofino on Thursday, September 24 at Long Beach Lodge from 5-9 p.m., and in Ucluelet on Sunday, September 27 at Blackberry Cove Marketplace from 2-5pm.

The memoir is narrated by the omniscient presence of her grandmother, Iffi, who died long before Banke was born, but with whom she formed a relationship through the process of the writing.

“Once I adopted my grandmother as nar-rator… the writing came relatively easy,” said Banke, who, now a grandmother

herself, penned

the memoir to create a legacy for her own grandchildren.

Once in a Lifetime includes all the high adventure of island living that you would expect: from idyllic family boat trips to camping on the beach at Eagle Bay; from the perils of stove fires, bears and storms;

to the creativity of an artist making her own quilts, furniture and bottled beer.

“When I first drove to Tofino in 1967, I travelled through a blackened landscape revealing the charred remains of huge for-est,” said Banke. “The trip from Port Alberni to Tofino took over 3 hours, driving around

deep potholes on the gravelly switch backed logging road.”

Then there were no cell phones, only cit-izen band radios to stay in touch with otherremote homesteaders. Homesteading on an island solved the ever-present short-term rental challenges but, more importantly, it was a lifestyle choice.

“The park was not yet established and many beaches were populated by resident ‘hippies’ creating their own solutions for housing by living in driftwood shelters on Wreck Bay.

“The children of Tofino’s first pioneers were still around to tell their stories. If you had a car, you could drive it right onto and along the beach. You could indulge your free spirit; to build a bonfire and dance around it and when you’ve had enough… you could sleep in your bag under the stars and listen to the surf, feeling the rhythm of life on the beach.”

Banke admits that the fortune-teller was right and while she might have created such a unique life elsewhere, “For us… I think it was a matter of being in the right place at the right time. Beck Island was the place where we found the opportunity to realize our dreams. It was the place where we had to apply our instincts and resource-fulness, thereby finding the freedom to grow.”

BOOKS

Tofino author to sign new Beck Island memoir

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Page 20: Tofino-Ucluelet Westerly News, September 23, 2015

Page 20 | The Westerly News Wednesday, September 23, 2015Page 20 | The Westerly News Wednesday, September 23, 2015

and bags of beach gear to get to the beach,” she said.

She said consideration has been given to extending the program both in the length it is offered and the length of its route.

“The free Tofino shuttle is a visitor-ori-ented service that currently runs the length of the developed portion of the municip-ality, so lengthening the shuttle route is really a conversation about establishing transit to at least Esowista but even as far as Ucluelet,” she said.

“The idea of establishing some kind of transit year round is being discussed - informally right now - within Tofino and the Regional District. Expanding the free

Tofino shuttle into the shoulder season, say June and September, should be con-sidered…We will need to look at visitation numbers, cost, and funding sources.”

She noted connecting Tofino to its West Coast neighbours through a public transit system is high on Tofino’s list of strategic priorities .

“There has been discussion about estab-lishing a transit service between Tofino and Ucluelet - primarily as a way to help local residents better access health and social services as well as work opportun-ities. For example, affordable transporta-tion - along with lack of child care spaces and affordable housing - has been identi-

fied as a key barrier to employment on the West Coast,” she said.

“With an increasing number of people living in Esowista, Ty-histanis, or Ucluelet and working in Tofino, Council recognizes that public transit of some kind between Tofino and Ucluelet would be a great benefit.”

She said such a program’s potential demand, sched-uling, costs and funding sources would

need to be investigated. “There’s a lot of work to do but with

the Alberni-Clayoquot Health Network’s upcoming focus on affordable transpor-tation networks in the ACRD, I’ve brought forward the idea that we have to investi-gate the specific opportunities between Tofino and Ucluelet,” she said.

TRANSIT, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3