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Vol. 10 Issue 2May 2013

Serving Port RenfrewJordan RiverOtter PointEast SookeMalahatShirley

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Water Doesn’t Come From A TapBE BEAR AWARE

SPRING BLUES

Rural OBSERVERCelebrating Our Rural Community Lifestyle

Juan de Fuca Rural Publication Society2013 MEMBERSHIP / RENEWAL FORM

Name ____________________________________

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Return to: JdF Rural Publication Society, 6602 Tideview Rd, East Sooke BC V9Z 1A6

2 May 2013

A group of Juan de Fuca residents formed a non-profit society to launch a news and advertising publication for the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area.

We provide a forum for our rural communities to share news, exchange ideas and develop a sense of community. At the same time the publication gives businesses within and outside the electoral area an opportunity to promote their products and services and reach potential customers. We also hope to make current information about the region and its services available to the many tourists who visit the area each year. Our goal is to protect, preserve and enhance rural life.

The publication will rely on community members to share their interests and points of view through articles, correspondence and photographs. We welcome articles and letters reflecting the very diverse interests of our member communities and expressing all points of view. The editorial committee reserves the right to edit for brevity, accuracy, clarity and taste. Though every reasonable precaution will be made to verify the accuracy of material submitted, the editorial committee assumes no responsibility for the content of published articles. The responsibility is that of the writers. References and descriptions of products or services are provided “as is” without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied. We’re online! www.ruralobserver.comIf you wish to submit an article for an upcoming issue of the Rural Observer, please email it to:

submissions@ruralobserver.com

Or mail to: Juan de Fuca Rural Publication Society 2617 Seaside Drive, Shirley, BC V9Z 1G7

BECOME A MEMBER or RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP!Celebrate our rural community lifestyle by helping us share stories and information about our region. Become a member of the Juan de Fuca Rural Publication Society today. Our fee structure is as follows - you may renew/join at the basic level of $20, become a “Supporter” for $50, or a “Lifetime Member” for only $100. We recommend the lifetime membership - you won’t need to remember to renew each year! The Rural Observer needs your support to keep it strong, viable and independent. Please make out cheques to the Juan de Fuca Rural Publication Society and mail to: 6602 Tideview Rd, Sooke, BC, V9Z 1A6

The Juan de Fuca Rural Publication Society Mission Statement

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3 May 2013

Spring Blues by Rosemary Jorna Easter week brought out the first of the butterflies, Anglewings and Mourning Cloaks that have hibernated through the winter as adults. By now the second wave of butterflies, those that have spent the winter as eggs or pupa are out; among them the bright, spring blues. Southern Vancouver Island is home to several species of blues. These are the small flashes of blue that flit though the woods and fields disappearing to a demure splotched gray as they close their wings and rest. If you are very lucky they just may open their wings to soak up some sunshine showing colours every bit as bright as a tropical blue morph. That flash of colour could also be a warning to other males. Don’t waste your time, this is my territory.

The intense blue on a butterfly’s wing is not the result of pigment, but caused by the refraction of light from scales on the wing that have become minute, complex prisms. The refraction has isolated and reflected the blue light. The hologram/chip on your credit card was developed after scientists studied these tiny prisms of the world’s blue butterflies

Blue larvae are small and look more like slugs or sow bugs than most of our ideas about caterpillars. They have a head, thorax with 3 pairs of legs and 10 abdominal segments complete with spiracles for breathing. The abdomen also has 4 pairs of prolegs plus a pair of claspers to help move the caterpillar around. Each caterpillar goes through four or five instars before becoming a small rounded pupa. Blue species are unique in having glands that secrete drops of sweet liquid to attract ants. Because of this, many of the blue caterpillars gain a body guard protecting them from other insects. Some of the blues even pupate within ant colonies spending the winter there. These caterpillars prefer a diet of flowers, fruit and seeds rather than the leaves other caterpillars eat.

Spring Azures are found all across Canada because their caterpillars thrive on the flowers and seeds of a wide variety of native shrubs: Ocean Spray, cherry, blueberry, huckleberry, elderberry, osier and introduced ornamentals to name a few. This is a great advantage over any butterfly species whose caterpillars are dependent on one plant only. We lose that butterfly population when we lose that plant. Spring Azures have lots of food choices, so we can find them anywhere the sun shines, woods or meadows.

In the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area, we are most likely to see the Western Spring Azure Celastrina echo. Like all the Blues this is a small butterfly with a wingspan of 1.8 to 2.8 centimetres. All of the Blues including the Western Spring Azures like to rest with their wings shut. Both sexes present a pattern of grey chevrons near the wing margins and rows of smudged spots on a light background on the under wing. The upper wing of the male Celastrina echo is very, very blue as are all of the males of the Blue species, but his wings have a very narrow margin of black. The females of other Blue species are inconspicuous, tending to have drab brown upper wings with a slight over cast of blue. If you see a blue one alight and actually spread its wings to bask in the sunshine and it shows a heavy dark margin on the tips and edges of its blue wings you have met a female Celastrina echo.

The Spring Azure has spent the longest stretch of its life as a pupa. Emerging as an adult to enjoy a few weeks in the warm sunshine of spring it starts the cycle of egg, multiple instars of

caterpillar, pupa and adult again. In a good year in this area there are two generations with the second generation appearing briefly in the late summer producing the overwintering generation. It is possible to meet several blue species in the Juan de Fuca area but they are no longer common.

The definitive work on BC’s butterflies is Butterflies of British Columbia, Guppy & Shepard, A Royal British Columbia Museum Book 2001. There are also many field guides on butterflies.

On Our Cover

Western Spring Azure FemalePhoto by Rosemary Jorna

4 May 2013

JDFEA Parks and Recreation Commission Launches Recreational Hiking Programby Sid Jorna The JDFEA Parks and Recreation Commission is pleased to announce a new addition to our line-up of Karate, Pilates and Yoga classes; a recreational hiking program in partnership with the Juan de Fuca Community Trails Society. It is a good fit with the JDF CT Society mandate promoting the use and development of the area’s trails - advocacy is served as more people learn to enjoy our unique wilderness environment.

The aim of the program is to introduce more of the community to our incredible wilderness. It hopes to contribute to a sense of community and health by getting people out to walk in the forest. It would be great if the program could get our youth into the forest. The program hopes to enhance tourism by offering a guided hiking service to our various Bed and Breakfast operations.

Hikes are appropriate to the season: spring hikes capitalize on the riot of spring flowers encountered in the Sooke Hills, summer and fall hikes are longer for reasonably fit hikers wishing an extensive experience in the woods. Winter hikes are shorter and closer to civilization.

Hikes are led by experienced volunteers from the JDF Community Trails Society trained in first aid, and in the specifics of the hike they are leading. Depending on their level of related knowledge there may be opportunities to interpret our natural surroundings.

This program offers one hike per month into our hills. The hikes are free but a donation to the Society is welcomed to defray expenses.

All hikes leave from the parking lot at William Simmons Memorial Park at 9:00 a.m. on the second Saturday of the month except in extreme weather conditions. (Turn into the Sooke Business Park at 3220 Otter Point Road. The parking lot is to the left behind a berm.) Hikers will car pool to the trail head for that day. The hike for May 11, 2013 will be from Charters River to Sooke Mountain Park.

For a complete list, hike descriptions and difficulty levels check the web site: www.jdfcommunitytrails.ca If you would like more information or have questions about the hikes or the program, please email: JdF.CTS@gmail.com

5 May 2013

Juan de Fuca Community Trails Society May Hike BIG Trees Tour: meet at John Muir School Saturday, May 4th at 9 a.m. for an all day event. Make sure your gas tank is full. Pack a lunch and snacks, and prepare to stop at a restaurant for dinner. We will be driving to Port Renfrew and beyond, stopping at several locations for short hikes into big trees.

Please register for this event by email to Rosemary Jorna, sid2767@shaw.ca after April 10th as car pooling is possible and a bit of planning needed. Most of the route is no problem for the family car and all will see BIG trees. If the route to the last one is open we will need to car pool in 4 wheeled drive for the last 12 kilometre round trip.

6 May 2013

Natural Building Workshopby Keary Conwright

Are you interested in learning how to build your own healthy and economical home, using all natural materials? KC Natural Homes, in association with the Econest Building Company will host a building workshop this summer in Sooke from July 15th to August 1st.

Participants are invited to spend one, two or up to three weeks helping to build a modest, but beautiful timber framed structure enclosed by healthy breathable walls made of straw, clay and wood chips. Called ‘light clay’ construction, the 12” thick walls provide a balance of thermal mass and insulation and allow the free diffusion of water vapour through the wall.

Students will be learning from a renowned expert in the field of natural building, Robert Laporte of the Econest Building Company. Also, there will be a one day seminar by an award winning eco-architect and building biologist, Paula Baker Laporte, FAIA, called “Homing in on your nesting instinct”. This seminar will be of particular interest to anyone planning to create a custom home and will address how to get the most out of the process through incorporating natural building, health and ecology.

The building workshop is presented in 3 stages. First is the heavy timber frame, where students learn how to lay out and prepare the timbers, then erect the frame, all beautifully put together by traditional mortise and tenon joinery methods. Second come the light clay walls. We will learn how to prepare the matrix, using simple Larsen trusses and temporary plywood forms, then how to mix the raw materials and tamp them into the forms. Next, students will learn how to finish the walls with site-made natural clay plaster. Finally, with their growing confidence, the students will learn basic roof construction and build the major components of this all important ‘hat’, which protects and reduces maintenance of the home for many years.

The site for this building/learning project is along West Coast Road, just minutes from the town of Sooke. There is room for camping on site and natural healthy lunches will be provided. For details about the workshop program, including an excellent video showing the steps of the workshop, see the Econest website www.econest.com.

Keary Conwright is a natural home designer and builder living in Otter Point. www.kcnaturalhomes.com

7 May 2013

Email: jdfepc@crd.bc.ca

8 May 2013

Water Doesn’t Come From A Tapby Arnie Campbell – Otter Point

It may surprise some, but water doesn’t come from a tap! Think about it; it has to originate somewhere else before it gets to your place. Where that is, how it gets there and whether it will continue to arrive at your tap makes rural living a challenge that separates us from our urban cousins. They, of course, get their water from a tap and often don’t understand our seasonal preoccupation with water. In the winter we can have too much water and in the summer and fall there can be none. It’s also an essential commodity that we know embarrassingly little about.

The Otter Point & Shirley Residents & Ratepayers Association (OPSRRA) wanted to know more about how local residents felt about and used water. Two recently conducted surveys had 107 participants, and we learned a few things. • Two thirds of the participants said they are on either a deep (drilled) or shallow (dug) well. The remainder are either on community water, have a water licence on a steam or lake, have water trucked to them or rely exclusively on rainwater collection and storage.

• Although 75% are satisfied with the quantity of water they are getting, most are considering ways to collect and store rainwater as an alternative source.• Two thirds are concerned about the present safety and quality of their water.

• Over 80% are concerned about the future quality and quantity of their water. • An amazing 90% are finding ways to reduce their water consumption through the use of low flush toilets, rainwater collection and reusing water. • When asked to estimate how much water they were using per day, 43% didn’t know. • When asked their willingness to pay more to access additional water, 43% said YES, with the majority favouring a cost of less than $100.00 per month.

Our very wet winter and early spring stand in sharp contrast to last summer and fall, an unusually dry and difficult couple of months for rural residents not connected to community water systems such as Sheringham Water Works Ltd. (Shirley) and Kemp Lake Waterworks (Otter Point). Memories can be short though; what is a crisis in October can be forgotten by February. Thus a need for households and the community to think both short and long term.

Some want better groundwater protection and control of development to preserve present well flows and water quality. Others see connection to community water as the future for fire protection and meeting residential water needs. Some on community water are concerned about its quality, the safety of their unprotected watersheds and whether the system can handle much more user demand. The extension of community water and pressurized water hydrants in Otter Point was supported during the recent Otter Point Official Community Plan (OCP) review. It may become a topic for community discussion when the Shirley and Jordan River OCP review takes place next year.

One of the comments received with the OPSRRA water survey was that we didn’t have a water supply problem but rather a water storage problem. New technology and changes to the Building Code allow alternatives to wells and community water. Costs can be prohibitive, unless incorporated into new construction and upkeep may be beyond the ability or interest of some.

Try living without water for a day or two, then reassess what you are willing to pay or do to have access to a continuing source of safe and adequate water. And remember, it doesn’t come from your tap!

The results of the two water surveys and comments can be seen on the OPSRRA web site: www.opsrra.ca.

NEW WEBSITE! otterpointe lectr ic .com

otterpointelectric@gmail.com

bonded • licensed • insured

OTTER POINTELECTRIC

CLAYTON F ISCHERELECTRICIAN/OWNER

T h a n k s f o r h i r i n g l o c a l t r a d e s p e o p l e

EC Lic. No.99330 FSR No.98873

250.588.4324

The Commission meets on the fourth Tuesday of every month at 3pm, Juan de Fuca Electoral Area Office, #2 – 6868 West Coast Road

Public Welcome to AttendFor more information, visit www.crd.bc.ca/jdf/parks.

For meeting confirmation or enquiries, please call 250.642.1500.

Juan de Fuca Electoral Area Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission

9 May 2013

625 Fisgard Street, Victoria, BC V8W 1R7

Media Release For Immediate Release April 3, 2013

Capital Regional District Launches Abandoned Waste Campaign

Victoria, BC – The Capital Regional District (CRD), in partnership with the Times Colonist and Jack FM, has launched their Abandoned Waste Campaign, an initiative aimed at raising awareness of the social, environmental and financial consequences of abandoning waste, whether it is at the curb “as free” or at local charities or, even worse, illegally dumped as garbage in the woods. The campaign will aim to achieve 15% decrease in abandoned waste being collected by municipalities within a 12-month period.

The campaign will educate residents on the proper disposal of household items, the health and environmental risks of improper disposal and the cost to residents associated with abandoned waste removal.

“Many household items that are not picked up through residential garbage service or the curbside recycling program can be recycled”, said Nils Jensen, Environmental Services Committee Chair. “Our goal is to inform residents on how to properly dispose of waste and ultimately promote a greener, more sustainable region.”

The campaign, which will run April through September 2013, will feature a Junk It Kit designed to help residents properly dispose of their waste. The Junk It Kit will be available through the CRD Outreach Team at community events, as well as through partnerships with the Times Colonist and Jack FM.

From April 3 – June 9, residents can look for the Jack FM cruiser around town to spot what “Junk is in the Trunk” of the Jack FM Community Cruiser. Each week for 10 weeks, the CRD will place everyday household items in the cruiser. Residents can find the cruiser at community events around the region and enter the household item for the week via the CRD Twitter account at which time they will be entered to win prizes, and, more importantly, find out how to dispose of common unwanted household items.

For campaign information, visit www.crd.bc.ca For more information on recycling and disposal options, visit www.myrecyclopedia.ca

-30-

10 May 2013

Doug Read Licensed Realtor26 years experience~18 years *Selling* in *East Sooke* Benefit from my LOCAL EXPERIENCE and LOCAL SERVICE.

Doug ReadPemberton Holmes Real Estate250-361-7939 or 250-642-2705 or toll free 1-866-536-7169email: info@dougread.com web site: www.dougread.com

Yoga and the Body’s Fascial System by Sarah Richer

Most any practice of yoga is working with an understanding that the human body is made of much more than just the physical. In yogic theory, the koshas describe the different layers that make up the person. The koshas are kind of like nesting Russian dolls, one inside another inside another. There is the physical body, energy body, mental body, wisdom body and the bliss body. It’s a little more complicated than that - the koshas also kind of permeate each other, and there is also that essential and universal element called atman... but for now I would like to look more deeply into just one of the koshas; our physical body.

Humans, like plants, grow from a single seed. From our cells to our bones to our ligaments and organs, we gain our strength and integrity from our structure as a unified whole. These days it is our connective tissue system- our fascia- that has become a hot topic. Many today argue that the fascia is the body’s main integrated system of stability, as well as its regulator of movement. Every system, every organ and even every cell lives embedded within this fascial net. Think of it as a giant sponge connecting all the muscles, ligaments, tendons, bones and organs inside you.

It is a given that we all have repetitive habits that create strain on the body, that can interrupt and hamper our connective tissues. Sitting for long periods, holding your baby on one hip most of the time, driving for long stretches just to name a few. In addition, trauma, illness, emotional holdings also create restrictions in the fascial body. Coming back to that image of an inner sponge permeating the whole body... when this inner sponge is wet, it is resilient and mobile. When our inner sponge becomes dry, however, it becomes stiff and inflexible. So yes, perhaps you are reaching for a glass of water, and that is good, but to rehydrate your fascial system you also need to squeeze it and twist it, preferably from a variety of angles and directions, to get the fluids back to where they’ve ‘dried out’. This is where yoga comes in. Over time, with regular yoga practice, we reduce the unnecessary tensions in the soft tissues of the body, bringing benefits into all the layers of our being.

Sarah Richer owns and operates East Sooke Yoga Studio where she teaches Vijnana yoga classes. www.eastsookeyoga.com

11 May 2013

East Sooke Community CalendarUnless otherwise indicated all events & classes held in the East Sooke Fire Hall meeting room.

Seagirt Ponds Preservation SocietyGeneral Meeting, Monday, May 13th, 7:00 p.m.

East Sooke Volunteer Fire Department1397 Coppermine RoadFire Practice Thursdays, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.Chief Roger Beck 250-642-4411

East Sooke Fire Protection AndEmergency Services CommissionThird Monday 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Hatha Yoga Classes Wednesday 7:00 - 8:15 p.m. Inst: Connie 250-889-0753

Karate Classes For All AgesTuesday 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.Instructor: Armin 250-642-3926

DOG OBEDIENCE Classes for All Breeds & All LevelsPuppy and basic obedience classesContact Michelle @ 250-889-0764speakdog101@gmail.comspeakdog101.com

Friends of Coppermine Park Societycopperminepark@telus.net New Members Welcome

Healthy Bodies Fitness Cardio & Strength ClassMon., Wed. & Fri. 9:30 - 10:30a.m. Beginners Cardio & Strength ClassMon, Wed & Fri. 10:45 -11:45 a.m. Tuesday and Thursday 9:30-10:30 a.m.Outdoor Fitness ClassTuesday & Thursday 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.Instructor: Marita 250-589-3947

East Sooke Women’s Meditation Group Meets MondayNot held in the Fire hall meeting roomCall for info - 250 642-7282

Moms: Interested in a Stroller Fit Class?Please contact Marita

Easter Fun in East Sooke

12 May 2013

How fortunate that we finally have a superb new eatery here in our small rural community of 465 residents. During the past three years we have asked so many times “When is the Country Cupboard opening again?” Well, now it has, with new owners, a new name and some fabulous food.

Founding partner Phillip du Preez has a varied background. Born and raised in South Africa, in 1986 he was conscripted into the South African Defence Force and completed two years of national service as a cook. He then obtained employment as a chef until he became interested in designing and producing slip-cast earthenware ceramics. He decided to establish RUPHI Fabrics and Ceramics. In 1994, Phillip emigrated to Canada, transferring his business first to Gibson’s Landing, and then on to Salt Spring in 1999.

In 2004, RUPHI was sold, and again Phillip entered the service industry managing the Salt Spring Coffee Cafe in Ganges, and later worked for the Salt Spring Inn.

After moving from Salt Spring into a quieter life on a farm in Shirley, Phillip soon saw opportunity staring him in the face – 2 acres of commercial real estate for sale with a turnkey restaurant housed in an Alpine-styled chalet directly across the road from the farm he had moved onto. Being a social creature, Phillip realized how important it is for a community to have a local gathering place, and so the dream began to grow. A local young volunteer fireman came up with the cafe’s new name, Shirley Delicious, and in October 2012 the wheels began to turn, slowly but surely.

To quote Phillip, “A top notch Barista pulling superior espresso, plus delicious baked goods, daily soups and toasted sandwiches ready to pick up with your latte; this is my vision for Shirley Delicious.”

Phillip’s friend, Sheena Mercer, bought into the business in February 2013. Sheena has extensive experience in the food industry as former owner of a cafe in Australia and current manager of the Harbour House Hotel’s restaurant on Salt Spring. She has backpacked around the globe, and after spending her son Jack’s early years in Australia, they moved back to Canada in 2009. Phillip and Sheena became fast friends on Salt Spring and after a visit to Shirley in December she decided to make the change too. With Jack finishing his school year on Salt Spring in May, Sheena and Jack will be moving to the Otter Point/Shirley area.

Shirley Delicious opened its doors on Friday, March 8th with the Salt Spring Samba Band surprising both the partners by parading through Shirley and the cafe with their rhythmic sounds. It was so rewarding for Phillip and Sheena after 5 months of planning and anticipation to share their dream with Shirleyites and visitors alike.

In addition to the Shirley Delicious feast for the senses, Phillip’s good friend and artist, Christopher Lucas will be the resident artist displaying his paintings throughout the cafe. Plans for the summer include an outdoor Art Gallery in a garden setting adjacent to the cafe.

Currently the cafe is open 7a.m. - 7p.m., Tuesday through Sunday. With a liquor licence pending, the cafe will move to

Shirley Delicious by Jean Conway *

CONTRIBUTE TO THE RURAL OBSERVER

If you have an activity of a rural nature in the Juan de Fuca area that you would like covered, please send it to us. We cannot promise to print every article, but we try to, if and when space allows. Email us! submissions@ruralobserver.com

Calendar of Events for ShirleyUnless otherwise indicated, events are held at the Shirley Community Hall

Shirley Fire DepartmentPractices held Thursdays7:00 – 9:00 p.m.To volunteer –250-646-2107

Shukokai Karate for all agesMondays, 6:30-8:00 p.m.Alida – 250-642-4631

PilatesMondays 10:00 -11:00 a.m.Saturdays 9:30 -10:30 a.m.svakayoga@gmail.com250- 646-2651

Nia Dance/Movement Thursdays, 6:45-8:00 p.m. Sundays 11:00 a.m. -12:15 p.m.movingmelody@gmail.comor 250-646-2995

Shirley Quilters and CraftersThursdays 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Shirley Women’s Institute 3rd Tuesday of the month: 10:30 a.m. stephaniecroft@hotmail.com

Shirley Fire Commission Meeting3rd Wednesday of the month7:00 p.m.

Shirley Community Association MeetingWednesday, May 8, 7:30 pm

Shirley Farmer’s MarketSundays 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.Christopher Lucas250-905-8817 or 778-528-2888shirleymarket@gmail.com

Shirley Community Association MeetingWednesday, July 10, 7:30 p.m.

13 May 2013

summer hours May 17th, opening at 7 a.m. and closing at 10 p.m. 7 days a week, with evening barbeques on the patio.

There is no set menu at Shirley Delicious. Whatever the kitchen crew feels like making is what’s available daily. The logic behind this is that every dish is prepared with excitement and love, confirmed by the great flavours evident in each mouthful. Be it their Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake Brownies, Lamingtons, Lemon Shortbread Squares, Carrot Cake, Mango or Blackberry Cheesecake, meat and vegetarian Pasties, Sausage Rolls, Scones, Muffins and fruit pies or homemade Foccacia sandwiches and soups.

Victoria’s award-winning Fernwood Coffee is fuelling the cappuccino bar with a medium roast espresso rendering delicious, full flavoured lattes, cappuccini, mochas, macchiati and Americani along with their drip coffee. A selection of teas, chai and soda are also available. Everything is fresh daily, reasonably priced and surely delicious!!

Welcome to the neighbourhood, Shirley Delicious!

* background provided by Phillip du Preez

And you thought history was boring...This will change your mind. Available now at the Lighthouse Store (www.sheringhamlighthouse.org) A History of the Sheringham Lighthouse authored by Rebecca Quinn.

A History of the Sheringham Lighthouse is a full colour, detailed

history of the land, lighthouse, and the light keepers and their families. For the first time, in one place, Sheringham Lighthouse history is told in an interesting and fast paced narrative. Over 30 historic and current photos of the light keepers, the structure, maps, and more.

Order your copy today. The lighthouse comes to life in this 20 page book. $5.00 plus shipping ISBN 099186440-9

The book is made possible with the generous assistance of the Juan de Fuca Economic Development Commission.Printing by Digital Direct Printing Ltd. Design, layout and art by Noella LeDrew

14 May 2013

Tea Therapy: The Comfort Of A Steaming Cup Of Tea!by Christine Hopkins

The history of people talking and celebrating over a pot of ‘tea’ goes back 5,000 years or more in China and the East... people gathering over steaming cups of fragrant, medicinal herbs may have an even longer history. True ‘tea’ comes from Camellia sinensis, the phenomenal ‘tea bush’ treasured by so many cultures.

The range of varieties is based on the specific drying process utilized. Black tea is produced by oxidizing the leaves- turning them black- creating the highest caffeine. Green tea results from careful heating (or steaming for ‘Sencha’ types) to prevent oxidation, resulting in the preservation of the green colour and precious antioxidants and less caffeine. White tea originating in Fujian Province - China, is the least processed (using a unique ‘withering’ process) – resulting in very low caffeine and less bitterness – also high in antioxidant polyphenols (tea catechins) and the very valuable, L-Theanine amino acid. ‘Oolong’ & ‘Pu-erh’ are fermented ‘semi-oxidized’ teas – to control leaf oxidation and preserve unique health benefits. Both are highly valued in Asia for cholesterol reducing properties...and regular consumption of Oolong tea is also linked to reduction of plaque in arteries and lowering blood sugar... as well as some relief from hay fever and pollen allergies.

Another delicious option from the Camellia sinensis plant is the very popular Indian ‘Chai’ (which means ‘tea’). Classic Masala Chai, a black tea mixed with aromatic spices - steeped in water, milk and sugar - is very popular in India and other Eastern cultures. The valuable addition of the spices dramatically increases medicinal properties since the spices contain very strong anti-microbial aspects. Health Benefits of Teas - It is increasingly recognized that teas and herbal tisanes have extraordinary health benefits:

White Tea:• Contains cancer fighting anti-oxidants• Cooling and detoxifying• Lowest content of caffeine found in all teas• Anti-aging and anti-stress properties• High L-theanine amino acid content promotes longevity and concentration

Green Tea: • Highest content of cancer fighting anti-oxidants Antiseptic and antiviral effects: kills oral bacteria that can lead to colds/flu• Fights degenerative diseases and supports immune system function• Strengthens tooth enamel and fights bad breath• Potent source of vitamins and minerals • Effective for slimming and weight loss

Oolong Tea: • High content of tea polysaccharides • Lowers cholesterol and blood sugar• High content of anti-oxidants• Strengthens tooth enamel• Potent source of vitamins and minerals• Effective for slimming and weight loss

Black Tea:• Heart health: black tea can help prevent heart attacks• Helps prevent plaque build-up in arteries• Increases bone density• Oral health: kills bacteria in mouth that can cause cavities

Pu-erh Tea:• Perhaps the most effective tea for slimming and weight loss• Helps metabolize fatty acids and oily foods• Believed to reduce cholesterol and blood sugar levels• Cleansing and detoxifying to the bloodstream

Other General Benefits:• Promotes mental clarity and alertness• Stimulates neural activity and improves learning function• Provides even, sustained energy and sound rest• Much lower caffeine content than coffee• Strengthens immune system and has anti-stress properties• Cleansing, detoxifying and longevity promoting

Herbal Infusions & TisanesToday’s International Marketplace offers a wealth of herbal options – most of which are caffeine-free. Yerba Mate, an indigenous herb from the Amazon, the ‘tea’ of Latin America, does contain caffeine – but it is also rich with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Rooibos Aspalathus linearis, ‘Red Bush’ from South Africa, is caffeine-free – but also prized for its flavour, antioxidants, minerals and vitamins. (It contains Vitamins C & E and iron, zinc, potassium & calcium –classified as an ‘adaptogen’ having antispasmodic effects – promotes restful sleep and relaxation) Research beginning to come in shows it contains the highest known levels of anti-aging properties! There are so many appealing new blends featuring Rooibos combined with wonderful, fragrant Botanicals... ginger, berries, and florals like lavender buds & Rose petals... you can indeed “Stop and smell the Roses!”

Home grown - I have created a very popular local blend called, Tea of Land & Sea, sourced from friends and neighbours - local beaches and gardens, of course!

Christine Hopkins can be reached at the Honestly Tea Company, 250 646-2425 honestlytea@gmail.com

15 May 2013

ANIMAL TRACKS by Dale Read

We live in an area inhabited by many interesting wild animals, and these animals can be identified from their tracks. Some general information is useful to help interpret these signs. Since animals of any one species vary considerably in size, the track sizes given below are only general indicators of an animal’s identification.

Fresh tracks in snow or mud have crisp, sharp edges. lf in mud, the edges may be shiny/wet. Dried, crumbly, or frost-filled tracks are old.

The direction of travel may be revealed from the direction of trampled brush or grass. If the disturbed grass is shiny, that is, if the leaf undersides are exposed, the animal was going away from the observer. A relatively dark area in trampled grass suggests that it was coming toward the observer. Bent or broken twigs are an indication of both size and direction of movement. Even if a track is obscured, direction can be shown by material kicked up against its forward edge (Fig. A).

One article cannot do justice to the large number of interesting animals in our area, so a series will be published. This first one will be about rodents, specifically, mice, rats, squirrels and rabbits.

The ability of these animals to survive depends on speed; they not only have powerful leg muscles, but also strong and very flexible torsos. For this reason, unless they are dawdling, sets of their tracks show the back paws in front of the forepaws.

The first three rodents in this series have similar paw structures. Each paw has four toes and a slightly opposing ‘thumb’. The front ones are oval shaped, and are much smaller than the back ones, which are considerably elongated. Paws of rabbits are somewhat different. No opposable ‘thumbs’ are present, and while they are similar in shape to the first three of this series, they are covered with fur. Tracks are shown in Figures B, C and D. The direction of travel is from Ieft to right in all of them.

Figure B is a photo of tracks of a mouse running in deep snow. Note the trace left by the tail. ln Figure C(right), idealized tracks are given for a mouse, rat or squirrel. The larger back paw prints are ahead of the smaller front ones. For a mouse, the back paws would be perhaps 0.5 cm wide and twice as long, with a trail width

of about 1.5 cm. Rat tracks are, of course, larger. Since they vary in size so much, no dimensions are given. Squirrel prints vary in size, depending on whether it’s a native Douglas or the larger imported grey squirrel. Expect back paw dimensions of 1.5 x 4.0 cm, with a trail width of 8 cm. Under ideal conditions, details of paw structure may be detected.

Rabbit tracks are depicted in Figure D. Again, the back paw prints are ahead of the front ones. However, note that the positions of the front paws are staggered - in contrast to those of the other rodents. Since the paws are fur covered, little detail of the toes is shown. Back paw prints may be 2.5 x 10 cm, and the trail width may be15 cm.

So, the next time you find suspicious losses of seed from the bird feeder, or plants desecrated in the garden, check for animal tracks!

Much useful information for this article was obtained from the book “How to Read Animal Tracks and Sign” by Paul Flezendes, Camden House, 1992.

Be Bear Aware!by Debb Read, Bear Aware Co-ordinator Living with bears and coping with them is essential to our lifestyle. We all know that people and bears are incompatible. While we cannot prevent all conflict, there is a lot of room for improvement! Therefore, we need to take some very basic steps to prevent the bears from being drawn into conflict with us. Bears are always seeking food, and our communities provide them with good foraging opportunities. Bears can smell garbage and rotting fruit from kilometres away. Furthermore, bears learn quickly, and remember where they have found food in the past. Once a bear is ‘rewarded’ for coming into our neighborhoods it will return. They become accustomed to the presence of humans (‘habituated’) and ‘food conditioned’ to eating garbage, fruit, pet food, bird seed, compost and other attractants. The more often they return, the more bold they become.

The following bear attractants should be managed to ensure bears don’t move into your neighbourhood. Use this checklist to ensure that bears do not become human food conditioned and/or habituated due to your carelessness. This will help reduce safety concerns surrounding bear encounters and the unnecessary destruction of bears.

Garbage• Store garbage in a secure building until

collection day or consider purchasing a bear-resistant household container.

• Ensure bins are tightly closed.• Wash all recycling items and clean the

bins that contain garbage or recycling.• Do not leave garbage in the back of a

truck, even if it has a canopy.• If you cannot store garbage securely,

freeze smelly items and add to the bin only on the morning of collection.

Fruit Trees• Pick fruit and allow it to ripen indoors

or pick daily as it ripens. Do not allow windfall to accumulate on the ground.

• If you do not want the fruit, prune the tree vigorously to prevent blossoms or spray spring blossoms with a garden hose to knock them off.

• If you would like to make the fruit available to others, contact a local fruit exchange program or food bank.

• Use electric fencing to protect fruit trees.• If you no longer want to manage your

tree, consider replacement with a native, non-fruit bearing variety.

Berry Bushes• Berries should be picked as they ripen.• Consider replacing bushes with native,

non-fruiting varieties if you do not want the fruit.

• Consider using electric fencing to protect fruit trees.

Livestock and Feed• Keep feed secured.• Keep chickens in at night.• Use electric fencing to protect livestock.• Keep young animals close to the home

and protected with electric fencing.• Don’t bury carcasses in areas where

you wish to exclude bears

Bird Feeders• Use bird feeders only in the winter when

bears are hibernating and natural bird food is limited.

• Use bird baths or native plants to attract birds without attracting bears.

Compost• The key to a healthy compost is

ensuring equal amounts of brown and green materials.

• Layer your greens, such as kitchen scraps and fresh grass clippings with no more than 10 cm of browns, such as dried leaves, grasses, shredded newspaper and cardboard.

• Do not add fish, meat, fat, oils, un-rinsed eggshells or any cooked food .

• Add oxygen by turning regularly.• Avoid overloading the compost in

fruit season - freeze material and add gradually.

• Avoid adding cereals or grains.

Pet Food• Feed pets indoors.• If pets are fed outside, ensure all food is

cleaned up.• Store pet food in a secure location or

bear-resistant bin.• Watch your pets. Keep them in eye sight

or on a leash while walking.

Barbeques• Clean barbeques after use by burning

off the grill entirely.• Remove and clean the grease trap after

every use.• Cover and/or store indoors (do not take

propane tank indoors).

Even more ways to prevent bears from gaining access to human food• Protect beehives with electric fencing.• Store freezers indoors if possible. If left

outside, clean outside of freezer after every use to remove food residue.

• Food smokers and the preparation and curing of wild meat can be an attractant – consider using electric fencing or an electrified mat.

• Store petroleum products in a secure enclosure.

• Never leave a cooler outside unless it has been thoroughly cleaned.

• Vegetable gardens may become an attractant if a bear has already gained other food rewards on your property. Consider electric fencing.

Keep Bears Moving Through the Area• Thin out brush to reduce natural cover

close to buildings and along paths.• Install motion-sensor lighting on walking

paths to ensure a clean line of sight and to discourage lingering bears.

• Keep doors and windows closed and locked. Cooking smells can lure hungry bears.

16 May 2013

May 201317

Musings On Music by Heather de Rome

Boot Camp

That does it!! I took a deep breath…I was on a mission. I mean, it’s always kind of sad when a student goes off into the big, wide world, but I tell myself that what must be, must be…I hope I have given them enough, that they can pass some on. However, when Allie told me she was stopping guitar because she wanted to go to ‘health and fitness boot camp’ that did it.

Call me a nerd, but for years, I had been dreaming of starting a guitar technique group, fantasizing about uniting daily at 7 a.m., and playing scales and exercises together - hmm, guitar boot camp?

Let’s side step for a moment to talk about how we learn. First, to learn an art, any art, we must meld the right and left brain. We let intuition take over with complete abandon, but we also must be excruciatingly conscientious and thoughtful, analytical and careful every single step of the way. I want to explore how we can achieve both, in a supportive community setting where there is no judgment, good or bad, either toward ourselves or the others. Sound idealistic? Actually it’s very simple and it works for anything whether it’s exercise, playing guitar, drawing classes or anything that we can all do together in unison (as we musicians say), the same thing at the same time.

The same thing at the same time - that’s when the magic happens. I have seen this over and over again. As I explain to my students, it is as though they are on a raft, and the group is the river carrying them along; and they, in turn, form part of the river for the others.

As a violin student, my daughter has private lessons AND group lessons. At lesson time,

students pay attention to detail and are given instruction, but in group it just looks as though everyone is zoned out. Week after week, I’d implore my daughter to focus, and week after week she did not; yet year by year, every child improved by leaps and bounds. Mystifying! How could that be?

In UNISON, mistakes don’t matter (no one notices them), and great playing doesn’t matter either. You are in ‘The Zone’, and you just do it. It is the one time in life that we can silence that pesky little voice inside us, delivering its blow-by-blow commentary about how well or badly we are measuring up to our impossible ideals. The violin group plays in unison for at least five years before playing in harmony. It gives them an incredible foundation. In unison, there is no such thing as something being easy or hard, good or bad. We just go with the flow. There is a collective unconscious at play that enables us to access that primal relaxed, focused state and just do our work.

So, guitar boot camp it was, and I can thank Allie for the boot in the butt. I told my students it was compulsory, I promised it would be fun and I guaranteed better chops. It’s not at 7 o’clock in the morning, though!

Heather DeRome teaches guitar and performs in the Greater Victoria area. heatherderome.com

May 201318

With Heavy Hearts by Lorraine Tao

This is very difficult for all of us at The Village Farm to announce but we have had to face the fact that we are not able to move forward with the purchase of the land for 1.6 million on April 10th. There are many, many pieces to this puzzle and in reviewing where we stand financially, despite the generosity of people who have donated on the blog, on indiegogo, by cheque and by cash we simply aren’t where we need to be. This has been an incredible journey for all of us in trying to bring our vision to life and we want you all to know that this is not the end by any means.

Constituency office is now open to serve constituents:

address: A2–100 Aldersmith Pl, Victoria V9A 7M8

hours: 10am–4pm, Monday–Thursday or by appointment

phone: 250-405-6550 fax: 250-405-6554 email: Randall.Garrison@parl.gc.ca

Randall Garrison, MPESQUIMALT–JUAN DE FUCA

We are here to assist constituents with Federal government programs and services.

RG-ad-RO-1110.indd 1 10/18/11 11:47:43 AM

Our vision is still strong, but it has become clear that the time pressure of the contract does not permit us to build the necessary financial base or to fully develop the group of people who would be living on the farm and creating enterprises to sustain it. So with sadness and determination, we are letting go of the farm on Helgesen Road for now, but The Village Farm will carry on with the vision by growing, practising and planning our future so that one day we will be ready to find a home.

You have all contributed nobly and valiantly to something we believe is worthwhile. There is no doubt that all the work and goodwill you’ve put in will make The Village Farm an idea that will succeed in the future – something we fully intend to make happen. We are regrouping and will make another push, only stronger, more organized, and hopefully still with all your support.

Regarding your generous online donations: we will be contacting all of you with three options:

1. A refund minus the 9% service fees we’ll be charged. 2. Allow us to hold the money for a year in an escrow account

to see if we can move forward with the same property or another one. If we do not move forward within the year, you will be contacted and offered a refund.

3. A full refund.

If you have donated by cheque, your options will be to tear up the cheque, or to let us hold the cheque for a year and contact you if we are able to move forward with the Helgesen property or another one – and tear up the cheque if we don’t.

For those who donated in cash, we will hold your money for a year and if we do not move forward, we will donate it to a like-minded charity in our region.

The Village Farm

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May 201319

Vivi CurutchetAdvertising Sales

Ph: (250) 642-1714Email: advertise@ruralobserver.com

The Rural Observer’s Publication Schedule for 2013:July/Aug. Issue - June 27, 2013

October Issue - Oct. 3, 2013

December Issue - Dec. 5, 2013

FREEINFORMATION FOR THE ASKINGOur advertisers are happy to provide any information about their products or services. Please feel free to use the phone numbers below to contact them directly.

TSUNAMI SIMULATORAvailable to Communities

Check out this simulator to see how communities along the Strait of Juan de Fuca would be affected in the event of an

earthquake and ensuing tsunami.

http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/science/oceans/tsunamis/medium-tsunami-moyenne-eng.htm

May 201320

SHERINGHAMLIGHTHOUSE.ORG

The Sheringham Point Lighthouse Preservation Society was established in 2003. The Society is incorporated under the Society Act of British Columbia, File #S47588 - May 17, 2004. The Society is registered as a charity by the Canada Revenue Agency, #858885940RR0001, July 29, 2004.

Please join the Sheringham Point Lighthouse Preservation Society.

Every day Society volunteersare working to preserve

and protect the lighthousebuilding, accessand surrounding

property. Yourmembership

can makea difference.

Just published and available for the first time - A History of the Sheringham Lighthouse by Rebecca Quinn. A full colour, 20 page fascinating look at the people, the land and the buildings that made up Sheringham Lighthouse complex including over 30 photos, maps, journal entries and more.

Go to sheringhamlighthouse.org, click on the book cover and order your copy today.

Just $5.00 plus shipping - order it today.