Moving on

Atter serious thought I have decided to discontinue writing my blog here at E’zabu.com effective today. It’s been a great experience to let you know what is going on in and around Campbell River, however, it’s now time for me to move on.

I hope you will all continue to support e’ZABU.com.

Best wishes.

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Checking in with Mr. Tyee – in his own words

I’ve finally realized what’s been missing and amiss in Tyee Plaza.

The Mr. Tyee carving, created in 2003 Chad Mergaert as part of the annual Driftwood Carving competition, has been moved. He’s now perched (tyee – fish – perch – get it?!) in front of the Java Shack. It’s handy for him when he doesn’t have time in the morning to make his lunch or grab coffee before settling into his location for another day’s work. But let’s hear from Mr. Tyee directly, shall we? I caught up with him recently and introduced myself as a local writer and generally nosy person.

The first thing he shares is, “I miss being in front of the laundromat. I got to know the lottery and laundry regulars. There was always something going on, especially when Super Valu was still open. But, really, it’s not too bad here. The Java Shack staff tell me what their soup of the day is every morning so I can let customers knows before they’re even inside. You can’t get much better customer service than that, can you?”

Mr. Tyee pauses for a moment as the afternoon walk-on ferry crowd headed for Quadra trot by.  “Just wait,” he whispers to me. I wonder what’s going on.

“Hi, Mr. Tyee,” says one person.

“See you in the morning,” says another.

“Looking good, Mr. Tyee,” comments a third person, as she smiles at us both.

The crowd thins for the moment and Mr. Tyee continues.

“People are so kind. I know I’m looking a bit worse for the wear these days – the rain takes its toll – but I’m still a darn good ambassador for the plaza.”

“Another thing I miss, now that I’m not as front an centre as I used to be, he says with a sigh, is being so close to Logger Mike. He’s grouchy a lot of the time but we get along pretty well,” confides Mr. Tyee.

We have figured it out though says the wooden status, putting his hand (fin?) into his pocket and pulling out a cell phone. We’ve each got one. It’s handy because Shopper’s sells the phone cards. This way we can keep in touch, he said.

We keep each other up to date with what’s going on in our neighborhood, explained my wooden friend.

I’m just about to ask Mr. Tyee if I can buy him a snack when his phone rings.

“It’s gotta be Mike, nobody else has my number, not even my mom. Excuse me,” says Mr. Tyee, ever polite.  He answers his phone with a flourish.

“How’s it hanging, Mike? I’m being interviewed.” There’s silence for a moment as Mr. Tyee listens.  “You’re not the only media star around here you know,” boasts Mr. Tyee. I can hear Logger Mike’s expletives through the phone. Mr. Tyee rolls his eyes and I turn away in case Mike hears me giggle.

“Keep your axe on. I’m not horning in on anybody’s territory. She’s lovely to talk to  and I’m having fun. Bug off. I’ll talk to you later.” Mr. Tyee hangs up his phone.

“Sorry to have caused problems with Logger Mike,” I say.

“Don’t worry. His language is rather ripe but deep down, he’s got a heart of gold. He’ll be fine in ten minutes.”

“I should head off anyway. I’ve got more than enough for my story, Mr. Tyee. Thank you very much for your time. I’ve always wanted to meet you”, I say.

“Just a minute, before you go,” he says, scribbling a series of numbers onto the corner of my notebook. With a glance I see it’s Mr. Tyee’s cell phone number.

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Cheerleaders, quilts and blankets at the Art Gallery

Join artists Vivienne Pearson and Siobhan Doherty at an opening reception on Friday, April 16 from 7:00pm-9:00pm as they celebrate the opening of their new exhibits at the Campbell River Art Gallery.

Pearson’s “No Place Like Home” offers textiles on a large scale. Blankets and quilts are the focus as they interpret how community, our environment and sense of belonging all connect to our feeling of “home” and what it means to each of us.

This exhibit is sponsored by Poppy Steele and Hans Op de Beek of Royal Lepage Advance Realty.

In the Discovery Gallery is “More Hot Cheerleaders”. Siobhan Doherty gives us 30 miniature wax sculptures of these well-known pop culture icons. Come by and explore the parallels to The Little Fourteen Year Old Dancer by Degas.

Both exhibits are on display for your viewing pleasure until May 21, 2010.

Admission is by donation. The Campbell River Art Gallery is at 1235 Shopper’s Row, across from the library and in the same buildling as the Visitor’s Centre. The Art Gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday from noon until 5pm.

The Gallery appreciates the support of its members and volunteers, the Campbell River Arts Council, the Friends of the Campbell River Art Gallery, Marna Disbrow, the City of Campbell River, Shaw Cable, Moeller and Co. Chartered Accountants, Areas B, C, and D of the Strathcona Regional District, as well as the BC Gaming Commisson, the BC Arts Council, Canadian Heritage, and Human Resources and Skills Development Canada.

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Webcams offer alternate reality

One of the gifts of technology is the ability to be in more than one place at a time, at least virtually.

From those of us lucky enough to live in Campbell River but who don’t have the view they’d like from their home or office to our friends and relatives living elsewhere, here’s a variety of webcams featuring our community:

* Need your boat and water fix? Try this view from Discovery Harbour, looking south to Quadra Island:

http://www.marineharvestcanada.com/campbell_river_cam.php

* For a view of Seymour Narrows, give this one a try:

http://www.webcams.travel/webcam/1237482777-Weather-Seymour-Narrows-Campbell-River

* Interested in a view of the Inland Island Highway (and really, who wouldn’t be?!)

http://images.drivebc.ca/bchighwaycam/pub/html/www/121.html

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City survey seeks input

In advance of annual budget deliberations scheduled for later this month, the City wants to know not only which services are  particularly valuable to you and your family but where you think  cuts could be made. 

With this in mind, a survey is available on-line at http://www.campbellriver.ca (look on the left side of the home page,  click on What’s New and then scroll down to “Tell us what you think - Campbell River Community Services Survey”).  A paper version was  in the newspaper last Friday, February 5.

The survey took me 10 minutes. Do your part and make time for it  before the deadline at noon on Friday, February 19.

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Salmon Farmers Assoc. help Haiti relief efforts through Shelterbox

The BC Salmon Farmers Association had donated $3,000 to earthquake relief efforts in Haiti, bringing shelter, beds, water, cooking utensils and other basics for up to 30 people for as long as six months.

Each $1,000 donated provides supplies, including a tent and water, for as many as 10 people for up to six months.

 Check out Shelterbox’s site at www.shelterbox.ca.

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Ziggy’s relocates and zags up the hill

As of Sunday, find Ziggy’s Body Jewelry not at the bottom of Dogwood hill but  in its new location at National TV and Video, in the same plaza as Fusilli Grill and The Mirror.

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What time is it, Mr. Tyee?

I’ve noticed that the clock in the Tyee Plaza has said 6:20 since before Christmas. As my dad would say, it’s right twice a day! But for those non-watch wearers amongst us who are downtown at times other than exceedingly early in the morning or during the dinner hour, it’s a tad  frustrating.

Maybe Mr. Tyee can put in the good word for those of us who like to know what time is it when we’re downtown and speed up the process of having it fixed?

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Super Valu doors now shut

It was a sad day yesterday when I noticed from my balcony that the open sign at Super Valu was turned off by dinner time.  Tyee Plaza now has one less tenant and downtown isn’t the same this morning.

Best of luck to Dave and his staff.  Thank you for consistently friendly service. You’ll be missed.

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Send them home with love on a plate

As I’ve mentioned previously, please don’t always assume that Christmas is a festive time of year for everyone.

Do you know someone who is facing his or her first Christmas without a loved one? Spend time with them. Go for a walk along the seawall or something un-Santa related. Or help them with whatever seasonal preparations they’re comfortable with. Are there people who don’t have family in town? Invite them to share Christmas Eve or Christmas Day dinner with your family. Send them home with leftovers (don’t forget the cranberry).

Sometimes the best gift you can give someone is your presence. Merry Christmas.

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