W E B V E R S I O N www.sookevoicenews.com Call: 250-642-7729 Happy Valentine’s Day weekend! Sooke Voice News The Newsstand & Subscriber edition News about Sooke & the West Shore With no reason given, the webcast broadcasting system was not functioning live at www.sooke.ca that evening for the February 10 District of Sooke Regular Council Meeting, but the show went on. As at several recent Council meetings, there were a couple of “for your information” types of presentations by public presenters at the start of the meeting. This week Mayor and Council heard from the Greater Victoria Coalition to End Homelessness (as a manner of update) and from the Sooke Elderly Citizen’s Housing Society about the challenges of seniors using mobility scooters in Sooke town center. After that was the Sooke RCMP report on December 2014 month-end (year-end) statistics, about which Council asked not much, even though the trend shows more assaults and more break-ins in 2014 compared to the previous three years. For additional information, Sooke Detachment Commander S/Sgt Jeff McArthur mentioned how a drug bust at a local Sooke cafe went down on January 8, effectively taking a ‘dangerous guy’ off the streets (see full story, page 3). As a light intro, McArthur had opened with a joke -- saying that he’s been working on tracking a mobility scooter gang (in followup to the SECHS presentation), but Council’s level of inquisitiveness remained steady. A surprise element of the night was what turned out to be a one-hour interaction of questions and Council statements about a foot bridge that was apparently in some manner on the books as a possibility for a connector of the Galloping Goose in the rural Soule Road area. The item was not on the agenda, which means that public input was only by the people who had been collected by interested Soule Road residents, and that Council had in front of them no background information or any sort of motion. Apparently one of the Soule Rd residents heard from a Realtor that a foot bridge was in fact planned, which local residents along that road (which is more of a laneway) felt would bring too much public activity to a secluded area. “The public would like to see the Galloping Goose cross the river,” said Mayor Maja Tait at one point. Councillor Rick Kasper said that in 2012 Council had decided not to proceed with the $2.3 million project and “then suddenly (the project) rears its head”. One member of the public said they would not have purchased property on Soule Road if they’d known about the still-go-nowhere proposed project. Councillor Kevin Pearson said there had been no financial discussion, but staff were communicating with the public. If it was shelved in 2012, then “why is it being reconsidered or even discussed”, Pearson said. WE B VERSI ON Sooke,BC Sooke COUNCIL Meeting Profile SOOKE VOICE NEWS on the beat Submitted photo No broadcast this week So many dangers in social media [Editorial] ...... Youth driver fatalities show no gain from training ... Nitty gritty, and more [Letter] .......................... Drug seizure location was happenstance ....... Seniors on mobility scooters in Sooke ........... of Vancouver Island Friday, February 13, 2015 Mayor Maja Tait Councillor Kevin Pearson by Mary P. Brooke Pharmacy celebrates 25 years serving Sooke by Mary P. Brooke 2 2 2 3 4 Drug Mart Sooke Valentine’s Day Sat Feb 14 Vol.5 No.4 ISSN 1925-2722 BC & national: @SookeVoiceNews Island west shore: @WestShoreVoice @SookeVoiceLOCAL Tweets also posted live at: www.sookevoicenews.com Insight news published weekly on Fridays (print & online) by Brookeline Publishing House Inc. 6716 West Coast Rd in Sooke Come celebrate our Councillor Rick Kasper Mayor Tait continued to evolve the conversation, suggesting that Council would want to know its own priorities for this project (if anything were to be done at all), including: do we want to cross the river, is it a priority? She said, at present, “this gives the public no comfort”. At that point Councillor Brenda Parkinson said: “There should be no discussion of items that are not on this agenda.” Councillor Bev Berger said she voted against the small bridge in 2012. Councillor Kerrie Reay said that when Council looked at grant funding last spring they said no to the Soule Road project, to favour a grant funding attempt for a multi-use trail along Sooke River Road. At the end of it all, one member of the public thanked Mayor Tait for allowing the issue to be discussed, even though it was not on the agenda and with no advance notice to the public. Meanwhile, would Council go for a $2.9 million project to extend Grant Road from Charters to Phillips, or a $4.5 million option? The first option included a culvert and some loss of natural ha bi ta t; t he s ec ond more co st ly o pt io n Councillor would have preserved Kerrie Reay habitat but involved a bridge that would require ongoing inspections and maintenance. Councillor Reay led the discussion on ultimately choosing the prudent option with the culvert and seeking less of provincial grant (in the hopes of being more likely to receive it). The culvert option was approved. Councillor Ebony Logins voted against. On another note, four contractors who provide outdoor maintenance services for the District of Sooke (in parks, along roads, and in landscaped areas) had their contracts extended to year-end. Mayor Tait announced that the roundabout installation on Sooke Road in town center will be proceeding, with a summer construction period and likely completing in Fall 2015. She gave assurances that logging trucks would not have difficulty getting through or around the roundabout. “Sidewalk installations will begin in late spring, early summer,” Tait said. ‘This will help in the core areas on Sooke Rd.” Councillor Berger included in her verbal report that 14 games had to be cancelled last weekend at Fred Milne Ball Park due to weather affecting the field conditions, putting 250 kids out of an opportunity for sports. A grant that has been submitted to CRD -- if successful -- could see adequate funding for the field to get artificial turf, said Mayor Tait. SVN WE B VERSI ON v1 News about Vancouver Island’s West Shore & beyond, with a focus on wellness, learning & insightful living. Submitted photo Insightful & Print & well-written Digital independent news coverage. at Shoppers News and views for attentive, inquisitive readers! ~ 4 pages this issue Anniversary Sooke Voice News Sooke Voice News Sooke Voice News Subscribe to Colour print edition $1.75 Peoples Drug Mart store owner in Sooke says 25 years have flown by. From left: Denise Maclean, Ron Kumar (owner), Sarah Dougall. It was a February day in 1990 that Ron Kumar remembers like it was just yesterday. February 15 in fact. The day before Valentine’s that year it had snowed, and yet with snow still on the ground, people lined up around the block for their first visit to the Peoples Drug Mart franchise store in Sooke. Fast forward to February 2015, and this weekend Kumar will quietly remember the 25 years that he’s been operating Peoples Drug Mart in Sooke. Then on Friday and Saturday next week -- February 20 and 21 -he and his staff will welcome everyone to take part in their official 25th anniversary celebrations at the store located in the Cedar Grove Mall at 6716 West Coast Road. Just a stone’s throw from the corner of Sooke Road and Otter Point Road, the 9,000-sqft store has been ‘home’ to Ron for two-and-a-half decades. Ron Kumar says he had a clear vision of being a community pharmacist, even before he left highschool. He was good in sciences and already had a job at 17 in a customer service environment. He says he had very good mentors: “People who had the faith and trust to guide me on the right path.” Raised in Vancouver, UBC pharmacy graduate Ron Kumar first found Duncan to start his career in local community pharmacy, and then after two years arrived in Sooke, to stay. “Sooke opened its arms up to us,” he said last week in an exclusive interview with Sooke Voice News. At first he managed the store, then was in partnership-ownership for three years before becoming the sole owner in 2001. “I still don’t consider it work. I’m enjoying it, living my passion,” he said infectiously, adding that he finds and nurtures that sort of passion in his employees. Some of his employees have been with him a long time -- four employees are into their 20th year (Tim, Sarah, Karen and Denise), and WE B VERSI ON Fri Feb 20 8 to 6 Sat Feb 21 9 to 6 LOTS OF PARKING Grand Prizes: 1. 40” TV 2. iPad 3. Dinner for 2 at Sooke Harbour House Contests & Prizes Don’t miss it! a few more are closing in on 10 years. “It’s all about the service.That’s what makes our small store different from the hundred or more other pharmacies in the broader Victoria area.” Kumar explains that he has made an investment in staff. “It’s costly for a small business to have employees longterm, but I wouldn’t trade it. The financial cost is outweighed by what they bring to the store, the customers, and other staff. Everyone on staff treats the customers as people first. “They’re as passionate about it as I am. Customers are the people who pay us,” he reminds his employees at staff meetings. One of the other key success points of Peoples Drug Mart Sooke is the product selection. “We key in on the health products, going back to the roots of what pharmacies are all about,” he said. Home health care, daily aid supplies and other specialty items might take up more space, but customers know they can find what they need. About 30% of the floorspace is dedicated to pharmacy and related products, generating about 70% of the sales. The other 70% of floorspace is filled with a selection of giftware, health and beauty items, stationery, and all the other general items of a community drug store. “We don’t sell TVs and computers,” Kumar injected as a footnote to the business model profile. Like old trees that have seen generations come and go, a necessity-based retail store in a small town has witnessed and been part of much of the town’s growth. “You get what you give out. I try to support everyone locally. The store has donated to events, charities, sports, churches and schools.” And the 25th anniversary event is about giving back in a party-like fashion. There will be prizes and contests, and special pricing on a lot of the merchandise. In a day and age when retail businesses are working hard to maintain success, it appears Ron Kumar’s little pharmacy has figured out about success having a lot to do with putting people first. SVN WE B VERSI ON WE B VERSI ON Page 2 of 4 ::: Copy deadline: 5 pm Mon. Ad deadline: 5 pm Wed. Breaking news at: www.sookevoicenews.com EDITORIAL SVN editorials aim to explore broader issues of concern to the local community, economy and society as a whole. So many dangers in social media Whether it’s a birthday too widely shared with strangers because of a privacy setting oversight on Facebook, or an old job that becomes computer-misinterpreted as a new job as a result of the order of data entry on LinkedIn, social media generates more than its fair share of intrusions upon and mishaps within the personal lives and careers of many. And then there are the artful machinations of the English language required for fitting an important message (yes, important enough that you want to share it with the entire world, once it’s posted) into 140 characters or less. Something is bound to occasionally be -- if not frequently be -- squeezed, left out or unintentionally implied. And most of that pales by comparison to the dangers that result from cyberbullying, unauthorized image sharing, and predatory behaviour that is shockingly rampant in the online realm. Undoubtedly social media is here to stay. As in most aspects of living in a civilized society, the law around management of boundaries (in this case for cyberspace) is slow to catch up to the harm that can result from a new, untethered area of the modern social contract. As one of the greatest gifts to the freedom of humankind, the Internet should remain open and free for the exchange of information, but boundaries need to be set for the privacy and well-being of all persons without infringing upon personal liberties. In all this lies a slice of personal responsibility. You can choose which websites, blogs and portals you visit, and you can and should carefully choose what you post on social media. When you’re working with words and images, everyone needs to become their own editor and should also be a responsible reader. Thoughtful choices of what to post, and careful reading of what others have posted, is the dual set of responsibilities of every person who wades into the swirling tides of the online social contract. WE B VERSI ON Friday, February 13,2015 ::: SOOKE VOICE NEWS The Sooke Voice News Ask a Doctor of Optometry Published by Brookeline Publishing House Inc., Sooke, BC, Canada National Library Registration: ISSN 1925-2722 on Facebook Mailing: PO Box851,Sooke, BC, Canada V9Z 1H8 Phone: 250-642-7729 Dr. Joslin, Dr. Morin & Associates: Doctors of Optometry Text: 250-217-5821 Email:[email protected] Providing comprehensive eye health and optical services to the growing community of Sooke for over 20 years. #5-6726 West Coast Rd Phone: 250-642-4311 Email:[email protected] www.sookeoptometrists.ca Mon-Fri 9 to 5 [Thurs to 7pm] Saturdays ~ 8:30am to 3pm [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Web: www.sookevoicenews.com Twitter: @SookeVoiceNews (BC / national); @WestShoreVoice; @SookeVoiceLOCAL Publisher, Editor, Writer, Layout, & Ad Sales: Mary P. Brooke, B.Sc., C ert PR Publishing Assistant: Jennifer Brooke. Delivery Support: Les Haddad. Contributors: Carol Mallett, Brenda Parkinson. Contribu- LETTERS tions welc om e from the c om munity. W ebserver Management: Les Oberg. Printing: in-house. Deliver- [email protected] ies: Bulk drop to various coffee shops, hotels, Nitty gritty, and more Regarding the letter "Councillors were elected to deal with infrastructure & planning" from Errol Anderson (Sooke Voice News, February5, 2015). banks, community areas; to some residential addresses, some weekends. Readership: Base of 3,500 print & online; includes print deliverydirect to selected businesses weekly. Retail: Colour print edition $1.75 at Shoppers Drug Mart (Sooke). Online: Print/PDF courtesyedition: www.sookevoicenews.com Digitalsubscription (PDF by email): Dear Mr. Anderson: $28+GST for18 weeks BC & National Twitter stream: @SookeVoiceNews I agree with you that council must Printsubscription (weekly tackle the nitty gritty of municipal busiby 1st class postal mail): ness, as it has always done routinely and $35+GST for 20 issues in of necessity. I'malso pleased our elected grayscale, or 12 in colour. Letters published in Sooke representatives can dedicate a portion of Voice News do not necessarily The BC Coroners Service this week re- incidents remain the leading cause of death their time to matters the BC Local Govrepresent the opinion of the leased the report and recommendations of for youth ages 15 to 18 years in BC. publisher, editor or staff. ernment Act places within their jurisdicThe publisher reserves Media were told that better statistics a Death Review Panel into the deaths of tion -- i.e. " fostering the current and futhe right to decline any for the impact of distracted driving are young motor vehicle drivers in BC. article, ad or contribution. ture economic, social and environmental The panel, composed of experts from learned from survivors of non-fatal acciCurrent edition (PDF), well-being of its community." archives, breaking news: across the spectrum of both child-serving dents and through roadside fines, than is In terms of your memory, yes, www.sookevoicenews.com and road safety agencies, made three Rec- possible to ascertain in the case of fataliTransition Sooke made the initial request ommendations, aimed at: reviewing the ties. for a plebiscite and we did due diligence in following up as required. Egilson stressed the importance of Graduated Licensing Program for new drivHowever, as you'll discover by revisiting the Sept. 8th meeting in the ers to see if its effectiveness can be en- involving youth themselves and also their District's video archive, we (along with Mayor Milne) were prepared to hanced; increasing knowledge about fatal parents and guardians in the development accept a staff recommendation for a survey and new "restate and reafMVIs involving young drivers through en- of solutions to reduce the death toll further. firm" resolution. L apoi nt e st ro ngly i mpli ed t ha t hanced data collection by the BC Coroners Instead, Councillor Haldane turned the tide that evening by chamService itself and by the Insurance Corpo- changes would very likely be made to the pioning the rights of citizens to make some righteous noise at the ballot ration of BC (ICBC); and reducing speed- graduated licencing program. Egilson noted box. Councillor Pearson seconded his motion and council voted 5-to-1 that the program is already one of the most related injuries and deaths. to proceed. In other words, no, we did not "shrewdly let council carry the “No doubt, speed kills,” said Chief strict in Canada. SVN cost," as you suggest. Council made their $6,000 decision freely, indecoroner Lisa Lapointe in a media confer- www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/coroners/reports/docs/ pendently and, from my perspective, both surprisingly and admirably. ence on February 11. She said that the panel young-drivers-deaths.pdf What followed in the lead-up to Nov. 15 was a healthy exercise in had not been consulted prior to the BC Govdemocracy and free speech, I believe, even if the 'no' vote didn't have an ernment raising speed limits on several organized voice nor a champion around which to rally until Councillor highways in BC last year. Reay finally piped up in chambers seven weeks after the fact. As for The panel reviewed in aggregate the voter turnout, well, that's how it goes in a democracy and nobody's come circumstances of 106 youth drivers who died up with a better solution, as Winston Churchill once remarked. How inin motor vehicle incidents between 2004 and teresting that Mr. Harper runs a majority government with 39% of the 2013. Data reviewed showed that the young 2011 federal vote (which, in turn, means a truly "mere" 24.3% of Canadidrivers who died were primarily male youth ans voted Conservative). who were 17 and 18 years old. The panel's Lt Gov Judith Guichon Mr. Anderson, you claim to know Transition Sooke's "agenda." review showed that speed, impairment, lack opened the fourth session of Please tell me more, I'm interested in your fuller insights. If you're seekBC Lt Gov of seatbelt use and inexperience were com- the 40th Parliament of BC ing clues with which to flesh out your opinion, please visit our website mon contributing factors. Having taken pro- and read the speech from Judith Guichon and read the material there, especially our recent "Open Space" report. fessional driver training was said not to have the throne on Tuesday, February 10 at 2pm. That document neatly captures our grassroots ambitions through the had any effect to diminish the number of It was emphasized that the BC Gov- lens of engaged residents who brainstormed about alternative energy, fatal crashes. However, fatal motor vehicle ernment had delivered a balanced budget in transportation, food security, emergency services, health care, jobs, busi2013 and 2014, and will do so again in 2015. ness and other matters related to "local people, strengths and solutions" Government will continue to build on (to quote Transition Sooke's slogan). It's an inspiring read, many have its progress implementing the BC Jobs Plan told me, and it may well leave you in an upbeat, positive mood about under which it says more than 70,000 new what's possible locally. jobs have been created since 2011. Finally, in terms of your memory, I believe Mayor Milne was at all The emphasis on LNG was quite di- the meetings involving the plebiscite. Perhaps you're thinking of the time minished compared to previous Throne early last year when he famously missed the council session that led to Speeches that serve to outline government the controversial, short-term rezoning of Mr. Arden's Idlemore Road proppriorities. erty as a waste transfer station. Technology contributes $23 billion in Like many people in this town, I think back on that still unresolved annual revenue – up $10 billion in just 10 saga as a rather embarassing, almost bush-league exercise in democyears. The clean-tech industry is leading the racy, one that the former Mayor twice went so far as to label "anarchy" way in biofuels, clean tech entrepreneurship, during council meetings. By comparison, the tanker plebiscite was introand carbon capture. There are over 19,000 duced, debated and instituted by the book and with full involvement of tourism businesses throughout BC, many of council, staff and the community. them small businesses. SVN ~ Jeff Bateman President, Transition Sooke BC NEWS BC graduated driver licencing program shows no dent in youth driver fatalities WE B VERSI ON WE B VERSI ON Throne Speech emphasizes balanced budget WE B VERSI ON @FoodScrapsSOOKE Upcoming Public Meetings Committee of the Whole Monday, February 16 at 7pm Schedule subject to change. Call 250-642-1634 to confirm meetings. Agendas: www.sooke.ca Info News Updates Services Kitchen scraps, composting, garbage pickup [email protected] www.KitchenScrapsSooke.ca WE B VERSI ON SOOKE VOICE NEWS ::: Friday, February 13, 2015 Sooke, BC LOCAL NEWS Drugs seized in Sooke town centre; the location was happenstance Sooke Voice News At the District of Sooke Council Meeting on Tuesday night, February 10, Sooke RCMP S/Sgt Jeff McArthur mentioned during his verbal report that someone possessing illegal drugs had recently been apprehended at the Reading Room Cafe in Sooke. Sooke Voice News reported this on Twitter. As the February 10 evening council meeting webcasting proceedings incurred some unexpected technical difficulties (and were taped S/Sgt Jeff McArthur, but not able to be broadcasted, said District of Sooke Detachment Corporate Officer Bonnie Sprinkling) this drug-bust information Commander, became breaking news for most people via Twitter. Sooke RCMP Some Twitter followers jumped to the conclusion that there is a drug problem in general at the one particular cafe, when in fact it was happenstance that the RCMP just came upon the local man who ended up being arrested for drug possession for the purpose of trafficking. S/Sgt McArthur says that on Thursday, January 8 around 3pm, a Sooke RCMP officer entered the Reading Room Café on his coffee break. “While in the coffee shop, he saw a man who seemed out of place and spoke to him. The officer conducted a check and determined that there was an outstanding warrant for arrest out on the 23-year-old Sooke resident,” says McArthur. “The officer advised the man of this. The man resisted briefly and was then taken in custody,” says McArthur, adding that a search of the suspect’s backpack yielded 50 grams of methamphetamine and 14 grams of heroin (valued at $3,000 he said at Sooke Council on February 10), as well as paraphernalia for trafficking, as well as an Apple laptop that had been stolen from within the Langford area. Me th a m p h e ta “To the average person he likely wouldn't have mine is an illegal appeared suspicious, but to an experienced police ofdrug in the same ficer -- much different -- he was wearing clothing typical class as cocaine of persons associating with gangs, and showed signs of and other powerful being under the influence of a controlled drug," says S/ street drugs (nickSgt McArthur. na me s include “The suspect has now been charged with two meth, crank, chalk counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance for Trafand speed). (See ficking, and Possession of Property Obtained by Crime. the list of street As of February 12 he was still in custody,” said McArthur. names .) Crystal “This is a significant quantity of dangerous controlled meth is most comdrugs destined for distribution in Sooke.” monly used as a “It should be noted that the male arrested has “club drug” taken no connection whatsoever to the Reading Room while partying in Café in Sooke. Unfortunately (upon reading the news) night clubs or at people on social media have circulated misinformation, rave part ies. Its which is concerning to the business owners. The susmo st c ommo n pect had simply gone into the business to get a coffee, street names are after shopping at other shops in the mall, and was hapice and glass. It is pened upon by an officer on patrol,” said S/Sgt Jeff a dangerous and McArthur, Detachment Commander, Sooke RCMP. SVN potent chemical WE B VERSI ON WE B VERSI ON Investigated by West Shore, arrested in Sooke that first acts as a stimulant but then begins to systematically destroy the body. Associated health conditions i nc lude memory loss, aggression, psychotic behavior and potential heart and brain damage. West Shore RCMP Street Crime Unit recently conducted a drug investigation on a 28-year-old Langford man who is known to police and who was later arrested in Sooke by Sooke RCMP who seized $10,000 worth of meth, said Sooke RCMP S/Sgt Jeff McArthur. The man had approximately 50 grams of methamphetamine and a “small quantity” of the ‘date rape Source: www.drugfreeworld.org drug’ gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), said West Shore RCMP in a news release this week. As a result of the arrest, members of the West Shore RCMP Street Crime Unit, General Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate Duty and Police Dog Service executed a search (GHB) is a central nervwarrant on a residence in the 3000-block of Jacklin ous system depressant Rd in Langford, at approximately 8:30 pm, on Febcommonly referred to as ruary 9 at a residence in the 3000-block of Jacklin a “club drug” or “date Rd in Langford. More GHB was seized from the rape” drug. GHB i s residence.No one was found to be in the residence abus ed by t ee ns a nd at the time the warrant was executed. young adults at bars, parWest Shore RCMP are recommending drug ties, clubs and “raves” (all related charges against the man whose name cannight dance parties), and not be published until charges are laid. is often placed in alcoholic Cst. Alex Berube, media beverages. spokesperson for the West Shore ‘Positive’ effects of RCMP, said: “The concerning part GHB abuse are reported was that there is a school across as euphoria, increased the road from where the drugs sex drive, and tranquility. were seized. Through continuing Negative effects efforts targeting illicit drugs, the may include sweating, RCMP has many initiatives to re- loss of consciousness Cst. Alex Berube (reported by 69% of usMedia Relations duce demand fo r s uch substances through prevention and ers), nausea, hallucinaOfficer, West Shore RCMP awareness.” SVN ti ons, a mnes ia , and coma, among other adverse effects. New to Sooke? New Sooke Voice News WE B VERSI ON mom? Bride to be? 250-642-2268 Source: www.drugs.com www.sookevoicenews.com ::: Page 3 of 4 Daily news updates - Sooke & West Shore: www.sookevoicenews.com/SOOKE-LOCALbreakingnews.htm SD62 queries parents about yearround calendar and duration of spring break WE B VERSI ON Sooke School The Board of Education will 2015- School District 62 make a decision and submit the proweek has invited posed 2015-16 school calendar to 2016 this parents to take part in the Minister of Education by March One week or two weeks for SD62 Spring break next year? (this year it’s 2 weeks, last year was 1 week) a public input survey for community consultation on the SD62 school calendar for 2015-2016. The proposed calendar Options A and B -- attached in a bulk email message to parents from SD62 Assistant Superintendent Roberta Kubik -- are in compliance with the Ministry of Education’s required hours of instruction. Option A proposes a two week spring break. Option B proposes a one week spring break. Information from the consultation process will be provided to the Board of Education at the March 24, 2015 School Board meeting. 31, 2015. The survey asks not only about the duration of spring break (traditionally held in March each year), but also about the possibility of a year-round school calendar and whether a public process should be held to explore that possibility. Selected dat es for Pro-D Days (non-instructional days) are open for comment as well. The survey remains open until 4pm onFriday, February 27, 2015. Survey link: http:/ /fluidsurveys.com/s/201516SchoolCalendar/ SVN Youth anxiety in schools “Children are coming to school with anxiety we haven’t seen before,” said Sooke School District 62 (SD62) Assistant Superintendent Roberta Kubik in a recent exclusive interview with Sooke Voice News. A program called Mind Up addresses social and emotional learning. A sense of belonging is fostered, says Kubik, by examining “values and virtues” such as honesty, humility, love, widsom, truth, and a sense of purpose. Roberta Kubik “Mental wellness is a priority and is evolving as a Asst Superintendent, SD62 focal point” for the Sooke School District, she said. As part of her work as an Assistant Superindent, Ms Kubik visits schools throughout the district to learn more about both the shared and unique needs of various schools in an area that spans Sooke, Langford and Colwood. Locally, Roberta Kubik had been the Principal at John Muir Elementary (K-5) in Sooke and also at Edward Milne Community School (Gr.9-12), before joining the administration at the main SD62 office in Langford a few years ago. The schools are undertaking this important concern from the inside out -both from within the student (handling of emotions in the complex social school environment) and from within the school (programs that teach tolerance and respect). SVN Photo: SD62 West Coast Lifestyle LOCAL NEWS: @SookeVoiceLOCAL & @WestShoreVoice WE B VERSI ON Editor’s Note: It is quite evident that mental and social anxiety are increasingly prevalent among youth, and that the school district is attempting to find ways to help. However, it appears that external factors which are beyond the control of students and families (challenging economy, uncertain job market, rapidly changing social norms, and the influence of social media, interactive games and TV -- and even stresses resulting from the structure of the school system itself) are not necessarily addressed head on by a mental wellness program that borders on positioning the students as the ones needing to be ‘fixed’. Hopefully any programs aimed at producing more resilient youth include a clear awareness that it is society which imposes pressures on families and on individuals of all ages. ‘Modern’ pressures are clearly becoming too much for an increasing number of people of all age groups to handle while attempting to maintain a well-balanced lifestyle. ~ Editor WE B VERSI ON Drug abuse resistance education D.A.R.E. BC aims to empower children in BC with the critical thinking and life skills necessary to become safe and responsible citizens. The Society supports the RCMP's delivery of the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) Keep'n It REAL (KiR) Program to BC's Grades 5 and 6 school children. Over 100,000 BC school children have gone through the program in the last 10 years, making D.A.R.E. kiR the most comprehensive and widely delivered youth drug prevention program in BC. At present, over 250 police officers teach the program each year to 16,000 Grade 5 and 6 school children in over 100 BC communities. D.A.R.E. KiR has become the foundation of the RCMP's Community Prevention Education Continuum which is a community-lead, police-assisted, comprehensive drug prevention strategy encompassing youth from Kindergarten through to Grade 12. Comments about the program by teachers and parents can be found online at www.darebc.com/index.php/partners/schools SVN WE B VERSI ON EMCSS programs Over the last few years, the course offerings through the Edward Milne Community School Society (EMCSS) were getting pretty lean, a concern that was brought to their attention by their former Vice-President. In recent weeks some fresh new courses were promoted in ads, and with flyers (as sent in a targeted mailing to the Sunriver area). www.emcsprograms.ca SVN www.randallgarrison.ndp.ca WE B VERSI ON www.sookevoicenews.com WHAT’S GOING ON Valentine’s Breakfast Sat Feb 14 at Cathy’s Corner Cafe, 6697 Sooke Rd. $8.95pp. 6am to 11am. Valentine’s Dinner Sat Feb 14 at West Coast Grill, Prestige hotel. $55pp. Or dinner, overnight & breakfast $124pp. Reservations: 778-425-0888 Juan de Fuca NDP 7th Annual Valentine’s Fundraiser. Sat. Feb.14. Olympic View Golf Course. Dinner 7pm. $100 pp. [email protected] Victoria Cat Rescue Corps annual ‘spay/neuter blitz’ starting Mon Feb16 for a limited time. For cats of lowincome pet owners.Stray/feral cats welcome. 250-656-1100 www.victoriacatrescue.com WE B VERSI ON Week 16 #emergencypreparedness NEXT TO ARDENS SELF STORAGE Mon, Wed-Sat 8:30-5 | Sun 10-4 Free Scrap Metal Drop-Off Info: 250-642-5297 District of Sooke. Committee of the Whole Meeting Mon. Feb.16 at 7 pm. Sooke School Dist 62 Transportation Ctte. Tues. Feb.17. 7pm. Parents welcome to find out about 20152016 bus fees (registration due Feb27), routes, ridership, bus yard. SD62 office, 3143 JacklinRd. www.sd62.bc.ca Sooke Voice News ~ deadline Wed.Feb.18 5pm for Feb20 edition. 10% off multi-week print/online ads. @SookeVoiceLOCAL 250-642-7729 [email protected] Traffic delays on the Sooke Rd hill Photo: Carol Mallett Mobility scooter challenges were explained in a presentation to District of Sooke Council on Tuesday night, February 10, by two reps for Ayre Manor -Carol Mallett and Bill Jones. Mobility scooters (essentially a chair on wheels) are used by seniors and others in Sooke to allow for their independence to do their own errands in town centre, said Mallett. Legally, scooter users are pedestrians, she said. As such, they are using sidewalks, not the roads. Some of the problems for scooter users include retail doors propped open across sidewalks, sign boards and garbage cans on sidewalks, the height of curbs, sloping sidewalks and other uneven terrain. Therefore, scooter users sometimes have no choice but to travel on the road where there can be cracks and speed bumps to negotiate. Mallett suggested that similar problems are encountered by people pushing children in strollers, riding in wheelchairs, or using walkers. Council was asked to consider running an awareness campaign about mobility scooter use in Sooke, including that drivers of cars be reminded that scooter users are pedestrians. Va len tine ’s bre akfa st at Cathy’s Corner Cafe at 6697 Sooke Rd in town center will feature French toast with fresh fruit, whipped cream, and a homemade fresh fruit sauce. All for $8.95pp. Served from 6am to 11am, one day only, on Valentine’s morning, Saturday February 14. SVN Mayor Maja Tait suggested that a copy of the presentation be reviewed by the engineering department, and mentioned that sidewalk improvements coming this spring or summer might help alleviate some of the problems. Many of the residents of Ayre Manor who use scooters have had falls from them during trips into downtown Sooke, said Bill Jones, who just started using a scooter last fall, and who provided information to Mallett for the presentation; Mallett took photos. Following the meeting, Carol Mallett said: “Hopefully, with our pictures, Council and municipal staff will include accessibility as a criteria for rethinking various parts of the village landscape and will maybe help store/business owners to understand what obstacles are in the way of complete accessibility to folks in mobility scooters, using baby strollers, and riding bikes. If this town becomes more accessible to folks with disabilities, it will become a better and safer place in which to live ... for all of us!” Carol Mallett and her husband David Mallett, who have been long-time members of the Sooke Elderly Citizen’s Housing Society (SECHS), have recently resigned fromthat board but continue to be actively involved in the needs and activities of Ayre Manor. SVN WE B VERSI ON WE B VERSI ON Mon 10-4 [email protected] www.johnhorganmla.ca Appetite for Art Prestige Oceanfront Resort ballroom 6929 West Coast Road, Sooke West Coast Grill: 778-425-0888 Fundraiser for Sooke Fine Arts Youth Scholarship & Sooke Food Bank $8 off on your next oil change! Art Sales at West Coast Grill & The Stick in the Mud BC Hydro combined the work of two pole upgrades into one day, on Wednesday, February 11, in the gully area at the bottom of the hill on Sooke Road, just west of Phillips Road. Traffic flow was reduced to one lane at a time, causing some east-west traffic delays. During the day the bac kups did not seem lengthy, but as commuters arrived home from work, the delays generated a lot of Twitter talk bordering on frsutration. The work of BC Hydro crews was to have wrapped up at 3pm. But due to some complexities of erecting poles in a gully, the work took a bit longer, to 5:30pm, said BC Hydro media relations rep Ted Olynyk. “Safety is always our top priority. We needed to complete the work before leaving the site,” Olynyk said. He realized that the traffic delays were frustrating for some people hoping to get home after their work day, but if the pole upgrades (and associated wiring) had not been completed, the alternative might have been power outages, he explained. The poles had been found to be co mpro mi se d from rec ent storms, hence the necessary proactive maintenance work. There will be other pole upgrades in the Sooke & Port Renfrew area in coming weeks, says BC Hydro. Traffic blockages are not likely for those, said Olynyk. SVN Friendly service! Drop-In Service! 872 Langford Parkway 250-590-5678 Open daily ~ in Langford Mon-Sat 8-6 & Sun 10-5 Like us on Facebook! VicGreatCanadianOilChange THIS COUPON EXPIRES: March 13, 2015 Art Show Tickets $20 Raffle Sat March 14 7 to 9 pm Pink Shirt Day comes to Sooke: Feb.25 Wearing a pink shirt (or any other clothing itemthat is pink), is a pretty easy thing to do. A local group of folks, headed up by Bill Jones and being assisted by District of Sooke Councillor Brenda Parkinson, is organizing a Pink Shirt Day event at the kiosk out front of Evergreen Shopping Center, for Wednesday, February 25 at 2pm. “The idea is to send an ‘anti-bullying’ message out to the community, with everyone standing together,” says Parkinson. SVN “Those attending, if you have anything Pink Shirt Day is pink to wear, that an awareness would be great. campaign against The general bullying that theme though is happens in schools, workplaces, homes, to gather and and over the take a stand Internet. together against Pink Shirt Day was bullying,” she started by two Nova Scotia high school said this students in 2013 who week. SVN WE B VERSI ON Sooke Voice News Bring in this coupon for to Fri 2nd annual BC Hydro pole maintenance on February 11 WE B VERSI ON scooters in Sooke WE B VERSI ON @WestShoreVoice MORE EVENTS: www.sookevoicenews.com/Sooke-area-events.htm Fruity french toast Seniors on mobility for Feb14 breakfast Mobility scooters have a high center of gravity and are quite heavy. In Photo: Bill Jones Sooke Region Tourism Association (SRTA) AGM. Wed. Feb.18. 7 to 9 pm at Sooke Harbour House. All who are interested in tourism are welcome. Tri-District Pro-D. Fri. Feb.20. Non-instructional day; all schools in Sooke & Greater Victoria area. Peoples Drug MartSooke ~ 25th Anniversary. Fri. Feb.20 & Sat Feb.21. Prizes, contests. Sooke Minor Fastball registration. SunFeb 22. 1:30 to 3:30pm. At SEAPARC. [Also Mar 9, Mar 25 at various times] www.sookefastball.com District of Sooke. Regular council meeting Mon. Feb.23 at 7 pm. Follow us on Twitter: @jdfemerg Follow Follow us us on on Twitter: Twitter: @jdfemerg @jdfemerg Valentine’s Dinner and, for some, an overnight stay with breakfast, is nearly sold out, says Val Lessard at the West Coast Grill in the Prestige Oceanfront Resort. The 4course romantic dinner with live music runs 6 to 9pm on Sat, February 14, for $55pp. The overnight package for $124pp includes dinner, double occupancy, and breakfast for 2. SVN 2049 Idlemore Rd in Sooke Free event postings courtesy as space permits. PRIORITY TO ADVERTISERS www.prepareyourself.ca Almost sold out for Valentine’s dinner Drop off-pay by the bag: Household goods, kitchen scraps, wood, construction materials, tires & batteries, old paint, yard waste, electronics. Friday, February 13, 2015 ::: SOOKE VOICE NEWS Add a change of clothing for each family member to your #emergency kit. Twitter: #26weeks Sooke Voice News Page 4 of 4 ::: 250.642.7729 decided to take a stand against bullying in their own school after a Grade 9 boy was teased for wearing a pink shirt to school. Sooke & West Don’t miss a single issue! Shore news 3 ways to subscribe Health & Print: by postal mail Subscribe $35 for 20 weeks grayscale, by phone or 12 weeks colour; includes or email colour PDF by direct email Digital: PDF by direct email Insights $28 for 18 weeks with a bit Enews: Link to PDF online, of edge. by email. 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