Friday, December 13, 2013 www.vicnews.com

Airing his beefsOak Bay man criticizes plan to cut pharmacy rewards

Page A3

NEWS: Funding slashed for ESL training /A3ARTS: Ensemble plays for the love of Bach /A7SPORTS: Grizzlies V.2 take to ice after shakeup /A10

OAK BAYNEWS

Terry Calveley, left, president

of Oak Bay Sea Rescue Society,

and Kim Bentzon, rescue station

chair, show the cramped

quarters in the society’s current

boathouse at Oak Bay Marina.

The non-profit organization is

shifting its focus back onto the major project.

Sharon Tiffin/News staff

UVic profs to take union vote

Kyle SlavinNews staff

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

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

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

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

Boathouse in need of a rescueOak Bay Sea Rescue Society

hopes its latest boathouse replace-ment proposal will be approved

after years of attempts.

The volun-t e e r - b a s e d organization has outgrown its current facil-ity, which was built in 1990.

The boat-house, located at the end of one pier at Oak Bay Marina,

doesn’t have space for training, equipment or storage.

“We have been relying on the generosity of member’s base-ments to store equipment and the generosity of other organizations for meeting space,” said society president Terry Calveley. “The yacht club generously gave us space to use their foreshore dock. They have been great and have not asked us to leave.”

Kim Bentzon, volunteer spokes-man and former station leader, said rescued people currently have to be dropped off at the dock.

“We need a rescue station, a

place to bring people we rescue to warm up and wait for the ambu-lance,” he said. “We need a safe, warm place for all people involved in a rescue to rest.”

The boathouse is also unsafe because the pathway sways on windy days and when boats create large wakes. As such, the group cannot conduct tours or other community engagement inside the facility. Also, the Zodiac res-cue boat does not properly fit, and trespassing and theft are issues since the boathouse is not easily secured.

“In January two years ago, we

had a break-in and we had approx-imately $3,500 of equipment key for search and rescue stolen,” Calveley said. “There was a night vision goggle worth $2,500 stolen. That’s $2,500 that could have gone to the boathouse.”

The non-profit society relies heavily on donations and grants and has no office or paid staff.

The new boathouse would also serve as a training space and provide more storage for rescue equipment.

Christopher SunReporting

Oak Bay Sea Rescue volunteers hope third time’s the charm for new facility plan

PLEASE SEE:Boathouse project, Page A6

Faculty rep says required amount signed cards

PLEASE SEE:Union vote, Page A6

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

British Columbia Ministry of EducationCamosun CollegeCara Forshaw MemorialCaroline Davies MemorialDr. A. Deans PeggsGreater Victoria School District No. 61Jack G. Wallace MemorialJean Clark Memorial AwardJohn Newbury Hatch Memorial

John Walker MemorialLes Carruthers MemorialLindsay Twine MemorialMerlin Hawes Friends & AlumniMountain West StudiosMunicipality of Oak BayOak Bay Firefighters Association

Oak Bay High School AlumniOak Bay Kiwanis ClubOak Bay Police AssociationRotary Club of Oak BayStanley Holmes MemorialThomas Nolte MemorialThrifty FoodsUniversity of VictoriaWatson-Moir, Oak Bay Chapter 42

Oak Bay High School staff, students, and parents wish to thank our perpetual donors listed below for generously supporting our graduating students. Their contributions

bring a sense of pride, honour, and accomplishment to Oak Bay High’s students.

Thank You

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Oak Bay senior calls out pharmacy body for points banProhibition on drug ‘kickbacks’ faces court challenge by Thrifty Foods’ parent SobeysDaniel PalmerNews staff

An Oak Bay senior is outraged B.C. pharmacies are now banned from handing out loyalty rewards points, and he’s not letting the measure pass without a fight.

Randy McEwan, 65, has relied on points he earns by regularly filling his three prescriptions to fly his children from Edmonton to Victoria for family visits.

But on Dec. 2, the College of Pharmacists of B.C. passed a bylaw that prohibits pharmacies from handing out loyalty reward points to customers for prescrip-tion drug purchases.

The college calls the incentives an inappropriate “kickback” to customers.

“There’s no statistics or hard evidence that people are renew-

ing prescriptions for the sole pur-pose of collecting incentives,” McEwan said. “The College’s rea-soning doesn’t add up because

(the rewards) are about one to three per cent of the pre-scription cost. Who would pay $100 for a prescription they didn’t need (sim-ply) to get $3? It just doesn’t make sense.”

The change has sparked a legal chal-lenge from Sobeys, which owns Canada Safeway and Thrifty Foods in Greater Victoria.

The College of Pharmacists of B.C. first proposed a ban in 2012 but shelved it amid strong pub-lic opposition.

However, the college’s board re-examined the issue after the provincial election and unani-mously approved

the ban Sept. 20. It argued that loy-alty points programs are a power-ful lure that can alter some shop-pers’ buying habits and poten-

tially harm their health.The bylaw prohibits various

gifts, rebates, refunds and other incentives, not just loyalty points.

“After careful consideration, the College still firmly believes that paying patients for prescriptions is unprofessional, unethical and unsafe,” it states on its website.

The college argues some patients may go without their medicine until they can fill a pre-scription on a loyalty point bonus day. It also believes patients with third-party insurance who don’t pay out of pocket may keep refill-ing a prescription after they no longer need it just to collect more points.

The college calls that a drain on limited health care dollars and says drugs not used by the intended patient may be abused by others or diverted to the illegal drug trade.

“Patients do not expect to receive payments for other health services they receive, and drug therapy should not be the excep-tion to that rule.”

The college hopes a points ban will result in patients choosing a pharmacy or pharmacist on their

own merits, not inducements.Sobeys lawyers will argue the

incentives ban mainly targets larger chains and unfairly props up smaller independent pharma-cies

“This could be a Charter (of Rights and Freedoms) issue,” said McEwan, who will watch the Sobeys challenge carefully before deciding if he’ll pursue a com-plaint of his own.

“Canadian businesses are allowed to compete, and they’re removing that tool kind of through a back door, if you like. I’ll still be allowed to collect points on essentials but not on medication. It could also be that seniors and poor people are being unfairly dis-criminated against.”

Exempted from the ban are free or discounted parking or delivery services, and payment by credit or debit cards that generate loy-alty benefits.

Similar reforms have been enacted in Ontario and Quebec. B.C. has banned point awards on Pharmacare-covered prescrip-tions since 2011.

-– with files from Jeff Nageldpalmer@vicnews.com

Daniel Palmer/News staff

Oak Bay resident Randy McEwan is one of many seniors upset with a B.C. ban on loyalty rewards incentives on prescriptions.

Edward HillNews staff

The federal government is eliminat-ing funding for subsidized English lan-guage training for immigrants at B.C. community colleges, including Camo-sun College.

At any given time, 200 to 300 new-comers to Victoria receive English as a second language training at Camo-sun’s Interurban and Landsdowne campuses, often for free. The college found out last week that $2.5 million allocated for domestic ESL training wouldn’t be renewed in April 2014.

Camosun is the second largest ESL institution in B.C., after Vancouver Community College.

“ESL is at the core of what we offer. It’s about getting new Canadians to a point where they are contribut-ing economically,” said Joan Yates, Camosun’s vice-president of commu-nity engagement. “It is a good, strong

program. We meet the needs of new immigrants who need help and aren’t (able) to pay a lot of money for it.”

With advanced language training, immigrants can move on to post-sec-ondary, land a job, or work in a field in which they are already qualified, said Kelly Pitman, Camosun faculty asso-ciation president and English teacher.

“In the long term, it’s very bad for the economy not to train these stu-dents,” she said.

The Ministry of Advanced Educa-tion says domestic ESL training won’t end, but it’s unclear how the federal government will deliver program-ming. The ministry is working on a “transition plan” with Camosun and other colleges in the event no federal funding comes through.

Read more at vicnews.com.editor@saanichnews.com

Fed. funding slashed for English training

PLEASE SEE:Our View, Page A4

A4 • www.vicnews.com Friday, December 13, 2013 - OAK BAY NEWS

VIEWPOINTPenny Sakamoto Group PublisherKevin Laird Editorial DirectorLaura Lavin Editor Oliver Sommer Advertising Director

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

2009 WINNER

The News is a member of the British Columbia Press Council, a self-regulatory body governing the province’s newspaper industry. The council considers complaints from the public about the conduct of member newspapers. If talking with the editor does not resolve your complaint about coverage or story treatment, contact the B.C. Press Council. Your written concern, with documentation, should be sent to B.C. Press Council, 201 Selby St., Nanaimo, B.C. V9R 2R2. For information, phone 888-687-2213 or go to www.bcpresscouncil.org.

OUR VIEW

Ottawa trashes ESL, defies logic

For our economy to grow, for employers to find employees and for the entrepreneurial spirit to flourish, Canada needs immigrants. Simply put, native-born Canadians aren’t producing enough kids.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

YOUR VIEW

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

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

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

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

Joe SawchukDuncan

CRD working on the wrong sewage plan

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Linda LiSaanich

Police departments need more funding, not less

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

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

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

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

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

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

Keith SketchleySaanich

•••Let your voice be heard. Send your thoughts to editor@vicnews.com

Questionof the week? Last Week

we asked you:Will the addition of more community mailboxes help people get to know their neighbours better?

Answer online at www.vicnews.com

Interest rates in Canada are expected to remain low for the foreseeable future. Is that enough impetus for you to look closer at the housing market?YES 9% NO 73% PERHAPS 18%

Hydro complaints off the mark

OAK BAY NEWS - Friday, December 13, 2013 www.vicnews.com • A5

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COMMUNITYNEWSIN BRIEF

Hiring climatefor 2014 positive

Seven per cent of Capital Region employers responding to research firm Manpower say they plan to hire in the first quarter of 2014, equalling the number who expect to lay off staff in the new year.

With the other 86 per cent of respondents to its Employment Outlook Survey looking to maintain staffing levels, Manpower calls the hiring climate “mild” for the upcoming few months.

With seasonal variations taken into account, the “net employment outlook” – the net percentage of firms likely to hire next quarter – is 13 points higher than last year, showing marked improvement over the start of 2013.

Homeless deaths remembered

Advocates who work daily with Greater Victoria’s homeless community will gather Dec. 21 at 4 p.m. to remember people who died on the streets in 2013. The ceremony will take place at the whale wall at the base of Yates Street near Wharf Street.

Organizers will read out the names of those who died.editor@oakbaynews.com

The Black Press Coins for Kids campaign is in full swing as dozens of local businesses continue to collect spare change for Greater Victoria’s need-iest residents.

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

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

Look for the Coins for Kids box at participating businesses including Red Barn Market, Peppers Foods, Salon Modello, Capital Iron, Heirloom Lin-ens, Corona Foods, Standard Furniture, Slater’s Meats, Oak Bay Pharmasave, Dodd’s Furniture, Verico Select Mortgage, Brick Langford, Frontrun-ners, 4 Cats Art Studio, Quality Cobbler, Western Foods and Goldstream Food Market.

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

editor@oakbaynews.com

Coins for Kids drive going strong

Food for thought

Peter Such, left, president of the

Victoria College of Art, Ron Schuster,

director of the Canadian College

of Performing Arts, and Joyce Kline

line up packed food hampers on the stairs next to the CCPA facility

on Elgin Road. The first hamper party,

initiated by Such and Kline, happened in her home 13 years

ago and outgrew that space. CCPA

students and public volunteers

spent much of Sunday packing

the hampers, 150 of which were donated

last year to The Salvation Army.

Sharon Tiffin/News staff

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The new boathouse requires a height variance of 0.6 metres and a width variance of seven centimetres. The extra height would allow for a mezzanine floor where first aid and rescue training can be conducted.

The society consulted with Oak Bay Marine Group and has a letter of support from general manager Steve Sinclair. Studies done by OBSR show that the minor increase in height will not adversely impact sight lines for nearby condos and apartments.

The society’s proposal is expected to be discussed at Oak Bay council’s committee of the whole meeting Dec. 16. In the past seven years, two proposals were rejected. Calveley specu-lated those rejections may have been a result of not enough com-munity consultation and designs that were too ambitious. One previous design called for an L-shaped building.

If the project gets the go-ahead from council, the society will begin getting estimates for the job and finding a builder.

At least four pilings need replacing at about $10,000 each, but the society is looking at ways to reduce costs. The boathouse interior will be done by volun-teers and the society has some money set aside for the project.

“We have ideas for a (fund-raising) campaign, but nothing solid yet. It will depend on what we need. Ideally we’d like to go into it knowing we can pay it off, Calveley said.

Oak Bay Sea Rescue was founded as a non-profit organiza-tion in 1977 and a response ves-

sel was supplied by the provin-cial emergency program. In 1984, the province withdrew funding, stating marine search and res-cue was a federal responsibility. OBSR then became a Canadian Coast Guard auxiliary and was renamed Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue in 2012.

The group is always seeking volunteers who can commit for 18 months and be available for training. Details are at obsr.ca.

Donations can be made by calling 250-896-2625.

reporter@vicnews.com

Boathouse project a priority Continued from Page A1

Sharon Tiffin/News staff

An Oak Bay Sea Rescue boat runs through its paces in summer.

The Oak Bay Parent Owned Preschool has enhanced its financial picture after two successful fundraisers.

A silent auction Nov. 19 raised more than $12,000. A Christmas tree sale held Dec. 7 added further to the proceeds, which will fund the operations and maintenance of the school.

“We are fortunate and grateful to have such strong local support for the school, which has been an Oak Bay fixture for over 40 years,” said preschool president Kirsten Pite. “Many of the people who supported us have themselves gone to the preschool or have had children or grandchildren attend. These community roots translated into terrific fundraising support and made our events very meaningful.”

The Elgin Street facility is run entirely by parent volunteers, except for the teacher, a certified early childhood educator.

For more information on the school, visit oakbaypreschool.com.editor@oakbaynews.com.

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Bach For the love of

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

CHRISTOpHER SUNreporter@vicnews.com

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

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

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

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

The is the second year Ballet Victoria will bring The

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Redneck with a heart of gold

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

An apocalyptic Kitt & Jane Christmas special

ROBERT MOyESarts@mondaymag.com

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

Kathleen Greenfield, Ingrid Hansen, and Rod

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

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

a dirty old van to drive across the continent.

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

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

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

OAK BAY NEWS - Friday, December 13, 2013 www.vicnews.com • A9

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The next step in the process is to file an application with the Labour Relations Board, which will verify that the 45 per cent threshold has been met.

If so, a union certification vote will be held. Price hopes that could happen sometime in January or February.

“I’m sure the faculty will make the right decision, and the right decision is clear,” he said.

“Certification is the way forward to address issues, and it’s the only way to effectively represent our membership.”

The University of Victoria administration says it hasn’t taken a position

either way on certification. UVic spokesperson Bruce Kilpatrick said, however, the existing relationship between the two parties has worked successfully in years past and continues to do so.kslavin@saanichnews.com

Union vote could happen early next year Continued from Page A1

There’s more online For more stories and web

exclusives visit

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A10 • www.vicnews.com Friday, December 13, 2013 - OAK BAY NEWS

Bestwick firing put coach in tough spot Travis PatersonNews staff

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

He was first made aware of the

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

sports@vicnews.com

SPORTSGrizz quickly reshape under new owners

Charla Huber/News staff

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

File photos

Grizz coach Craig Didmon, above,

was mentored by the outgoing Bill

Bestwick.

Grizzlies game day Dec. 13: Powell River Kings

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

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

Summer magicBill Bestwick’s revamping

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

Ready for itDidmon was originally

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

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OAK BAY NEWS - Friday, December 13, 2013 www.vicnews.com • A11

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Bestwick firing put coach in tough spot Travis PatersonNews staff

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

He was first made aware of the

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

sports@vicnews.com

SPORTSGrizz quickly reshape under new owners

Charla Huber/News staff

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

File photos

Grizz coach Craig Didmon, above,

was mentored by the outgoing Bill

Bestwick.

Grizzlies game day Dec. 13: Powell River Kings

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

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

Summer magicBill Bestwick’s revamping

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

Ready for itDidmon was originally

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

Appliances

Soccer

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

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

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

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

Hockey

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

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

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

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

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

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

Basketball

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

SPORTS CALENDAR

Claremont Spartan Marshal King, left, carries

the ball past an Issaquah

defender in the U-18

championship game of the

Space Needle Shootout lacrosse

tournament in Tukwila, Wash. on Sunday. The

Spartans won the final 10-4.

Photo by Michael Jardine

SPORTSNEWS IN BRIEFSpartans top Space Needle

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

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

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

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

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

Jags, Lions rank among AA teams

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

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

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

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

Royals on interior swing

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

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

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

Coleman Vollrath earned the loss in net.

www.vicnews.com

There’s more on line - vicnews.com

A12 • www.vicnews.com Friday, December 13, 2013 - OAK BAY NEWSA12 www.oakbaynews.com Fri, Dec 13, 2013, Oak Bay News

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Career Opportunities:Preschools Strong Start Facilitators Group Child Care Cruise Ships and Resorts Supported Child Development

START IN DECEMBER & WE’LL WAIVE

YOUR REGISTRATION

FEE**conditions apply

WAREHOUSEMAN’S LIEN ACT

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

20012 KIA RIOKNADC163926075728

Owner R. Orr1997 PONTIAC

SUNFIRE 1G2JB1245V7560717

Owner B. CalibabaWill be sold on Dec 20, 2013. At 647B Dupplin Rd, Victoria, BC between 10am-2pm.

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

CARDS OF THANKS

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

CHRISTMAS CORNER

CHRISTMAS TREES2’ to 30’ * 15 varieties

Wreaths * Greens * Swags * Holly * Cones

Direct from GrowerFree Hot Apple Cider

Tons of Fun!Available Nov. 29 to Dec. 24

SAANICHTON CHRISTMAS TREE FARM

U Cut 9am-4pm & Pre-Cut 9am-9pm

8231 East Saanich Rd250 652-3345WOODSTOCK

EVERGREENS Pre-cut only 6999 W. Saanich Rd,

Brentwood Bay 10 am to 9 pm250 652-3228

NEW LOCATION off Sooke Lake Rd - turn off Malahat at South Shawnigan Lake Rd

and follow signs. U-cut 9am-5pm

Give a Lovely Bodywork session to Yourself or

another this Christmas- The Trager Approach- Hot Stone Massage* Gift Certifi cates *Discount rates for

DecemberRae Bilash

Certifi ed Practitioner250-380-8733

www.raebilash.ca

LEGALS

IRCRAFT FA S

MONTEREY CHRISTMAS MARKET. Sun, Dec 15, 1-5 pm. 851 Monterey Ave. *Shop. *Silent Auction. *Tea Garden.

CLASSIFIED ADS WORK!Call 250.388.3535

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

INFORMATION

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

www.blackpress.ca.You can also go to

http://vi.bbb.org/directory/ and click on the 2013 BBB

Accredited Business Directory

PERSONALS

THE BEST Selection of Real, Local Singles. Try FREE! 18+. Call 250-220-1300 or online at: www.livelinks.com

LOST AND FOUND

FOUND: HEARING aid, near corner of James White Blvd and Resthaven, Sidney. Call (250)655-0542.

LOST SET of keys downtown Dec 3rd, w/Thrifty’s & Pure tags. Reward! (250)589-9396.

CARETAKERS/RESIDENTIAL MANAGERS

CARETAKERExp. caretaker couple needed for 45 unit rental building in Campbell Riv-er must have min 5 years experience.

Send resume to: aptjobs12345@gmail.com

HELP WANTED

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

EDUCATION/TRADE SCHOOLS

HELP WANTED

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

Please send resume to: johnwkm@shawcable.com

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

Experienced parts person re-quired immediately for James Western Star in Williams Lake. Full time, competitive wages, benefi ts and signing bonus. Fax resume to 250-398-6367 or email: nwejr@jamesws.com

GENERAL LABOURERSOIL & GAS INDUSTRY

GUARANTEED Job Placement

• Labourers • Tradesmen• Class 1 Drivers

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

SALES

COSMETIC SALES PERSON for Outdoor Cart at Up Town Mall, shift work, $12/hr. Apply to mirjam@telus.net

TRADES, TECHNICAL

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

VOLUNTEERS

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

EDUCATION/TRADE SCHOOLS

VOLUNTEERS

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

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

PERSONAL SERVICES

MIND BODY & SPIRIT

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

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

and supportsBalance and Presence in

a Relaxed Body.Rae Bilash

Certifi ed Trager Practitionercall for appointment

250-380-8733www.raebilash.ca

* Also Hot Stone Massage

FINANCIAL SERVICES

EDUCATION/TRADE SCHOOLS

PERSONAL SERVICES

FINANCIAL SERVICES

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

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

PHOTOGRAPHY/VIDEO

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

MERCHANDISE FOR SALE

FREE ITEMS

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

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

FRIENDLY FRANK

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

FUEL/FIREWOOD

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

MISCELLANEOUS FOR SALE

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

EDUCATION/TRADE SCHOOLS EDUCATION/TRADE SCHOOLS

MERCHANDISE FOR SALE

MISCELLANEOUS FOR SALE

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

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

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

MISCELLANEOUS WANTED

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

REAL ESTATE

APARTMENT/CONDOS

NANAIMO WATERFRONT2nd fl oor condo. 1500 sq.ft.LR/DR/2bdrms with view, den,gas FP, secure bldg. 2 under-ground parking spaces. Main-tenance fee includes hot wa-ter/gas/landscaping. 1 pet OK.$339,900 (250)753-9123

FOR SALE BY OWNER

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

RENTALS

APARTMENT/CONDO

1 & 2 Bdrm suites & cabins.Perched on a cliffside withpanoramic ocean vista, over-looking The Saanich Inlet. Se-rene & secure. All amenitieson-site, fi rewood. $500-$1200inclds utils. Monthly/Weekly.Pets ok with refs. 25 min com-mute to downtown Victoria.Must have references! Call250-478-9231.

Your community. Your classifieds.

250.388.3535

fax 250.388-0202 email classified@oakbaynews.com

SOOKENEWSMIRROR

$2997plus tax

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

Choose any:Black Press Community Newspapers!

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

3BONUS!We will upload your ad to

Ask us for more info.FREE!

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OAK BAY NEWS - Friday, December 13, 2013 www.vicnews.com • A13Oak Bay News Fri, Dec 13, 2013 www.oakbaynews.com A13

Life is too shortfor the wrong job

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

RENTALS

APARTMENT/CONDO

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

UNDER NEWMANAGEMENT

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

5 min drive to DT Victoria Full time on site manager

Move in today250-588-9799

HOMES FOR RENT

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

SEASONAL ACCOMMODATION

WANTED 1 or 2 bdrm to rent for 1 month to 6 weeks on or near waterfront in Oak Bay during May, June or July. Call Heather (250)920-9043 or email: heatherferguson01@gmail.com

SUITES, LOWER

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

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

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

RENTALS

SUITES, LOWER

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

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

TRANSPORTATION

ANTIQUE/CLASSICS

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

AUTO SERVICES

TRANSPORTATION

AUTO FINANCING

Auto Financing 1.800.910.6402

$50 to $1000Scrap Junk

Broken Down Cars Trucks Vans

FREE TOW AWAY

250-686-3933

HOME/BUSINESS SERVICES

ACCOUNTING/TAX/BOOKKEEPING

ACCOUNTINGVida Samimi

Certifi ed General Accountant

Bookkeeping, Audit,Payroll, HST. Set up &

Training. E-FileTAX

250-477-4601

CLEANING SERVICES

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

ELECTRICAL

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

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

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

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

FENCING

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

HOME/BUSINESS SERVICES

GARDENING

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

250-479-7950FREE ESTIMATES

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

www.hollandave.ca

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

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

HOME/BUSINESS SERVICES

GARDENING

GUTTERS & DOWNSPOUTS

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

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

HANDYPERSONS

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

HAULING AND SALVAGE

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

HOME/BUSINESS SERVICES

HAULING AND SALVAGE

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

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

JUNK BOX- We Do All The Loading

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

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

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

HOME/BUSINESS SERVICES

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

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

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

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

MASONRY & BRICKWORK

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

& MOVING STORAGE

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

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

CLASSIFIED ADS MEAN MORE BUSINESS Call 250.388.3535

HOME/BUSINESS SERVICES

PAINTING

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

SAFEWAY PAINTING

High quality, Organized. Interior/Exterior

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

Member BBB

PLUMBING

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

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

HOME/BUSINESS SERVICES

PLASTERING

PATCHES,Drywall, skimming, old world texturing, coves, fi re-places. Bob, 250-642-5178.

PRESSURE WASHING

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

STUCCO/SIDING

PATCHES, ADDITIONS, re-stucco, renos, chimney, water-proofi ng. Bob, 250-642-5178.

UPHOLSTERY

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

WINDOW CLEANING

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

SERVICE DIRECTORYwww.bcclassified.com 250.388.3535

CHECK CLASSIFIEDS! 250.388.3535 or bcclassifi ed.com✔

fi l here please

ALL YOU NEED IN PRINT AND

ONLINE

bcclassifi ed.com250-388-3535

Crossword

Toda

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Ans

wer

s

ACROSS 1. Type of health plan 4. Atmospheric haze 7. A period of time 10. Auricle 11. Copycat 12. Manpower 13. Delicate fern genus 15. Diego, Francisco or Anselmo 16. Zanzibar copal 19. Jackie’s 2nd husband 22. Calcified tooth tissue 23. Conjoined twins 24. Mythological birds 25. This (Spanish) 26. Lowest hereditary title 29. Pre-transplant plot 33. Fiddler crab genus 34. Professional legal

organization

35. Most thick 40. Sleeve indicator of

mourning 44. Far East housemaid 45. Hmong 46. With three uneven sides 49. Tempts 53. Jewelry finding 55. Showed intense anger 56. Black tropical American

cuckoo 57. Sculpture with a head 58. A single entity 59. What part of (abbr.) 60. Before 61. Confined condition (abbr.) 62. Hurrah 63. Transport faster than sound

DOWN 1. Sorli’s Tale hero 2. A musical master 3. Speech 4. Swiftest 5. Opaque gem 6. Origins 7. Proceed from a source 8. Rechristened 9. Liquorice flavored seed 13. Small amount 14. Mineral aggregate 17. Prefix for wrong 18. Point midway between E

and SE 20. A single instance 21. French river 26. Undeveloped blossom 27. One pip domino

28. Fled on foot 30. Sheep bleat 31. One point N of due E 32. Father 36. A projecting part 37. Improved by editing 38. Made melodious sounds 39. Treatment 40. Agreeableness 41. Bell sound 42. Tennis contests 43. Furnace vessels 46. Sirius Satellite Radio (abbr.) 47. Licensed accountant 48. Crude potassium bitartrate 50. Insert mark 51. Election Stock Market (abbr.) 52. A health resort 54. So. Am. Indian people

A14 • www.vicnews.com Friday, December 13, 2013 - OAK BAY NEWS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

room detached house,” Adam says.

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

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

foot townhome in Royal Oak that needed some updating.

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

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

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

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

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

– Don Descoteau

Q: WHAT WAS THE DEALMAKER

FOR YOU?

HomeFinderFind a place to call home

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

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

with us? Email ddescoteau@vicnews.com

To advertise in HomeFinder, call John Graham at

250.480.3227 or email jgraham@blackpress.ca

Move to townhome a calculated decision

» 139

» $418,000» 3,829

He Said, She Said

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

so we had to � nd a place that she could

live, too.

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

rentals, then we’re not buying it.

We askedCaylla and Adam

Harvey

TOTAL PROPERTIES SOLD OR DEALS PENDING THIS MONTH

BENCHMARK PRICE FOR A TYPICAL TOWNHOME

TOTAL NUMBER OF HOMES LISTED

GREATER VICTORIA MARKET UPDATE »

Photo contributed

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

AS OF DEC. 11

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

250.812.3942watersedgerenovations.com

Renovations & All Home Repairs• Windows/Doors • Bathrooms

• Flooring - Hardwood and Tile

• Home Additions & Renovations

• Decks, Fences & Railings

OAK BAY NEWS - Friday, December 13, 2013 www.vicnews.com • A15

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

4942 Cordova Bay, $848,000Saturday 2-4Sutton West Coast RealtyJonas Solberg 250 479-33334009 Cedar Hill Rd, $529,900Saturday & Sunday 1-4Sutton Group West CoastJames Gardiner (250) 507-433325-3958 Cedar Hill Rd, $249,900Sunday 2-4Pemberton HolmesMike Lock, 250-384-81241575 Jasper Pl, $589,900Sunday 2-4Pemberton HolmesRick Couvelier, 250-477-0921

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

304-2732 Matson Rd, $229,900Wednesday-Sunday 2-4Re/Max CamosunNeil Docherty, 250-478-96002655 Sooke Rd, $219,900Thursday thru Monday 1-4Re/Max CamosunBrad Gregory, 250 744-33013467 Happy Valley Rd.Saturday & Sunday 12-4DFH Real Estate Ltd.Mike Hartshorne, 250-889-4445593 Latoria Rd, $294,000Saturday & Sunday 1-4Pemberton HolmesGreg Long, 250-384-81243379 Vision Way, $339,900Saturday & Sunday 1-3DFH Real Estate Ltd.Mike Hartshorne, 250-590-39211218 Clearwater Pl, $549,900Saturday 1-3DFH Real Estate Ltd.Jenn Raappana, 250-590-3921

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

Select your home.Select your mortgage.

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

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

www.vericoselect.comChatterton Way 250-479-0688

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

room detached house,” Adam says.

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

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

foot townhome in Royal Oak that needed some updating.

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

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

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

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

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

– Don Descoteau

Q: WHAT WAS THE DEALMAKER

FOR YOU?

HomeFinderFind a place to call home

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

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

with us? Email ddescoteau@vicnews.com

To advertise in HomeFinder, call John Graham at

250.480.3227 or email jgraham@blackpress.ca

Move to townhome a calculated decision

» 139

» $418,000» 3,829

He Said, She Said

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

so we had to � nd a place that she could

live, too.

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

rentals, then we’re not buying it.

We askedCaylla and Adam

Harvey

TOTAL PROPERTIES SOLD OR DEALS PENDING THIS MONTH

BENCHMARK PRICE FOR A TYPICAL TOWNHOME

TOTAL NUMBER OF HOMES LISTED

GREATER VICTORIA MARKET UPDATE »

Photo contributed

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

AS OF DEC. 11

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

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