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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10th Ave. Cafe and Deli a downtown delight

 In less than a month, the “luck” that has made Ben Luck’s Comfort Zone in Willow Point such a success is being repeated downtown on 10th Ave. in the former Plaza Bakery location. 

There’s a daily soup as well as House Specials – quiches, BLT, and more. Of course we can’t forget the wraps that have made a trip to Discovery Pier and Comfort Zone a treat. There’s a good choice of salads too.

I treated myself to lunch last week with a friend. Service was prompt and courteous despite the crowd. My lunch mate and I were pleased with our choices – I had the lemon pepper shrimp wrap and she had the vegetarain panini. Both were winners.

The 10th Ave. Cafe and Deli is open Monday through Friday from 7:30am until 4:30pm and on Saturday starting at 9:00am until 3pm. Give them a call at 250-914-3354.  Plaza Bakery breads are still available too.

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Eastern Star sale offers book bounty

Hot on the heels of the museum’s annual book sale is a three-day book event sponsored by the Chas Maria Star Charitable Society, aka the Order of the Eastern Star.

This year’s sale is set for April 15, 16, and 17 (Thursday through Saturday) starting at 10am each day.

The new location is 922B Island Hwy., beside The Bargain Shop and across from the foreshore.  Note that each day has a different closing time: On Thursday it’s 5pm, Friday it’s 6pm, and things wrap up on Saturday at 3pm.

For anybody who’s even remotely into reading, make the time to stop by. I’ll be found in the kid’s section, on the hunt for a couple of Artemis Fowl books. Thanks to lots of hours by a myriad of volunteers, the books are meticulously arranged. It will be simple for me to know if the two Artemis books on my list are for sale. Browsing is of course encouraged too.

Donations of good quality used books are welcome. Please give Margaret a call at 250-923-1760 or Joan at 250-923-0840 to arrange pick up. And starting today, Monday April 12, you can drop books off at the site of the sale. Parking is available across the street at the foreshore.

Proceeds from the sale go towards supporting Eastern Star’s cancer projects. Earlier in 2010, the Order of the Eastern Star, in conjunction with the BC Cancer Agency, which benefits from funds raised by Eastern Star, were jointly honored by BC Lieutenant Governor Steven Point for their efforts in the fight against cancer.

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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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Shoe shopping temporarily halted with Quest’s renos

My heart skipped a beat yesterday and it wasn’t because of post-Valentine’s Day romance. No – I looked in the display window of Quest Shoes on Shopper’s Row and was greeted by – nothing but blank space. Ack! I thought. The demise of my favorite shoe emporium is not a good way to start the week.

But fellow shoe fiends take heart.  Quest Shoes is simply undergoing a freshning up and will be open for business again at the end of the month. Whew. I can breathe again.

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Words on the Water offers wealth of words

The days are longer, bulbs are beginning to poke their green heads through the cool soil in some lucky gardens, and Christmas is off the radar for another year. For this avid reader, that combination means only one thing: it’s soon Words on the Water time again. This year’s event is Friday, March 19 and Saturday, March 20 at the Maritime Heritage Centre.

This year’s lineup  promises to be another winner. Campbell River is fortunate to welcome the following authors:

* Annabel Lyon,  author of The Golden Mean, which was a finalist for the 2009 Rogers Writers’  Trust Fiction Prize, the 2009  Scotiabank Giller Prize, and also in 2009, the Governor General’s Literary Awards – Fiction. The interview I heard on CBC Radio in the fall was compelling and I’m so looking forward to hearing about Aristotle and Alexanders the Great from the writer who brought them to life. Oh yeah – The Golden Mean won the Rogers Writers’  Trust for fiction.

* Gabor Mate, author of In the Realm of the Hungry Ghost – Close Encounters with Addiction. It was published in 2008.  He’s a doctor at a harm reduction facility in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.

* Children’s author Kit Pearson, who wrote the brilliant Awake and Dreaming as well as the Guests of War trilogy that tells the story of Nora and Gavin, a brother and sister pair who are sent from England to live in Canada during WW2. I can’t wait to meet her.

* Andreas Schroeder has been a freelance writer for more than 40 years. He’s published poetry, literary critcism, and and and. His most recent book is Renovating Heaven.

* Current Haig-Brown Writer-in-Residence Harry Thurston, whose most recent book is A Place between the Tides, A Naturalist’s Reflections on the Salt Marsh.

* Ronald Wright is the author of What is Amerca, a BC Book Prize finalist. He’s published in more tan 15 langueas. His first novel, A Scientific Romance, was a Globe and Mail Book of the Year.

This ninth annual event gets underway on Friday night. Throughout Saturday, enjoy readings by all the authors and ask questions. Books will be available for sale and you can have them signed too! (I love that).  Saturday night is always tons of fun – it’s the literary cabaret, featuring  the guest writers, music by local musicians, laughter, and gourmet appies.

Be sure to get your Early Bird Pass quickly – they’re bound to sell out. At $65, it gets you into all events and is a terrific deal. They go on sale at the Tidemark theatre Tuesday, February 2. Find out more at www.wordsonthewater.ca . Get ready for a literary bounty that Campbell River hasn’t seen since last year’s Words on the Water!

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My heart belongs to Quatchi

The 2010 Olympic mascots were introduced in November 2007 and since then, I’ve been enchanted with them. Well, to be honest, only one of them: Quatchi the sasquatch. The other two, Sumi and Miga, the sea bear and animal spirit respectively, leave me cold. Quatchi is, quite simply, pretty keen. His ear muffs crack me up every time I see him and the small Quatchi who lives with me is used to my giggling now.

So, imagine my delight when I discovered that the Campbell River Spirit of the Flame Committee is hosting a Meet Simi, Miga, and Quatchi event this coming Saturday, October 24, 2009, at the Campbell River Community Centre from 12 noon until 4pm!!

The appearance of Quatchi and friends is the lead up to the arrival of the Olympic Torch on Monday, November 2, when a ton of events and entertainment are scheduled for downtown. From the official opening of Spirit Square at 10:45am and Spirit Village at 11:45am , to food and beverage vendors, a parade,  fireworks, and music and art vendors, it’s going to be a unique opportunity to mark the Olympic Torch’s appearance in our community.

But back to this Saturday. In addition to having a chance to meet the mascots, there will be face painting by Magical Faces, mascot-related crafts, a concession by the Salvation Army, and athletic challenges by Bounce a Rama.

And if you feel it necessary to tell me they’re just people dressed up in suits, I’ll sic my sasquatch friend on you.

P.S. I betcha didn’t know that Quatchi’s favorite color is “chill blue” and his favorite sport is hockey.

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Tibetan monks offer variety of gifts

Starting next Tuesday, October 27 through to Wednesday, November 4, five exiled Tibetan monks will make Campbell River their home as part of their Sacred Art cross country tour. A variety of community programs are happening during their stay.

Join the monks every day except Sunday at the Art Gallery in Tyee Plaza between 10am and noon and again from 1:30pm to 5:00pm for chanting in the morning and to watch the creation of a sand mandala. The suggested donation is $5.00. Timberline  Secondary is the place to catch them on November 3 at 7:00pm for music and blessings. Call 250-923-9500, ext. 218 for more information.

For those outside of the Campbell River area, be part of this unique opportunity at 7:45pm on Quadra Island, at the Community Centre, for Tibetan music and dance followed by a screening of “Unmistaken Child”, a current documentary. Admission is $5.00 for adults and $4.00 for seniors and students. If that day doesn’t work for you, how about Saturday, November 1 for a talk and meditation at the Community Centre starting at 11am? Admission is by donation. And for those on Cortes, come on down to Manson’s Hall on Sunday, November 1 at 7:00pm for Tibetan music, debates, and chanting. Admission is by donation for this event too.

The sand mandala the group creates as part of their meditation practice will be dismantled at a ceremony starting at 1:30pm on Wednesday, November 4. Following this, there will be a walk to Discovery Pier to release the sand.

The monks are also available for private blessings of people or places during their stay in our area. Give the Campbell River Art Gallery a call at 250-287-2261 for details or email them at contact@crartgallery.ca.

Monies raised from their time in Campbell River will benefit the monks’ monstery in India. The monk’s appearance on Cortes is sponsored by Hollyhock and the Squirrel Cover Trading Co. Their residency at the Campbel River Art Gallery is sponsored by Klari Varallyai and the Campbell River Physiothearpy Clinic.

Welcome to Campbell River. We are blessed to have you here.

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Let Eastern Star ready your reading for fall

It would appear the rain, wind and cooler weather has arrived. The five day extended forecast is for a Campbell River-typical fall so haul our your umbrella and boots (and maybe even your duck feet).

Despite the gloominess, one of my favorite events starts tomorrow and will certainly brighten my week: the annual used book sale sponsored by the local chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star. The selection is broad – from a variety of fiction to non-fiction with kid’s books too. There’s an exciting selection and it’s sure to satisfy the rabid readers in Campbell River.

Funds raised go to towards fighting cancer.

Please note: the location has changed. The sale is no longer happening at Campbell River Common but on Shopper’s Row, in the former location of Inner Odyssey, beside San Marcos.

The bibliophile can browse for three consecutive days starting tomorrow, Thursday, October 15 from 10am to 5pm. On Friday, October 16, hours are 10am to 6pm. They’re  back to 10am to 4pm on the final day, Saturday October 17th.

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