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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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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Shoppers Row adds new business

Now open in the former Inner Odyssey location on Shoppers Row, beside San Marcos, is P & D Collection.

Check it out for hand crafts, fashion and accessories, including jewelry.

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Coho Books hosts Mountain Timber author Richard Mackie

If you missed Vancouver Island author Richard Mackie’s appearance at the museum on Saturday, there’s a final  opportunity to buy his newest book, Mountain Timber, and have it signed, all in time for giving to the local history buff on your Christmas list.

Mountain Timber is a most welcome follow up to Richard’s book Island Timber. It’s well written and full of wonderful photographs that help to further the story of the Comox Logging Company.

Meet Richard on Saturday, December 12 from noon until 2:00pm at Coho Books, at 1074 Shoppers Row, in the same block at Cheddar and Co. Contact Pirkko Anderson at 250-287-2336 or email  info@cohobooks.com if you have any questions.

Check out this link for book details from publisher Sono Nis: http://www.sononis.com/book145.stm

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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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Incognito changes ownership

Tina Creelman is the new owner at Incognito, the funky consignment and new clothing store downtown. A strong retail backgound made the decision to purchase the business an easy one, said Tina, who took over ownership on September 18, 2009.

If you’re looking for a piece of clothing that will express your personal style, stop by and talk to Tina. She’ll be pleased to help you find something that suits you.  And don’t forget – Tina carries men’s and kid’s clothing too, not just women’s.

Fall and winter clothes are now being accepted on consignment. . Please call to make an appointment.

Incognito is located at 962 Shopper’s Row, in the same block as CIBC. The phone number is 250-286-1903. Hours are 9:30am to 5:30pm Monday through Saturday.

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Building neighborhoods one wave at a time

I walk a lot. To anybody who knows me, that’s hardly news. And if you don’t actually know me, chances are pretty good you’ve seen me out and about. If you catch sight of me on Dogwood I’m taking a relaxed stroll and if you see me on Shopper’s Row, I’m doing errands. One way or another, it’s a rare day I’m not on the streets (in a purely legal way, of course).

As I’ve meandered through the various neighborhoods I’ve lived, my familiarity grows. I know which dog lives in the house with the gigantic weeping willow tree, the one that overshadows the house. (I confess to peeking behind the tree once, just to be sure there really was a house). I recall learning which home owners were also avid gardeners, as witnessed by their gigantic, fragrant roses. After following the same route for awhile, I’ve gotten to know when specific houses have visitors from the different vehicles in the driveway. And lest you be concerned that I’m too nosey for my own good, let me set your mind at ease. I’m not checking up on anybody. Really.

Over the last several days, as I take advantage of the late summer walking opportunities, I’ve found myself wondering about the people who live in the houses and apartments I pass. I see people heading out in their cars to face the day in the coolness of the mornings and arriving home at the end of their day. I observe them doing yard clean up, collecting their mail, or stacking firewood for those cozy nights at home.

In this age of email, the phone, instant messaging, whatever, are we losing our face to face connection with people? Do you know the name of the person or family who lives next door? If, heaven forbid, your house was on fire, your    cell phone wasn’t charged, and you ran across the road to call the fire department, would they know who you  were?

Our society is a mobile one. People come and go more than before. And it’s easy to get locked into our own lives and our routines and not always pay much attention to who’s living next door. And it’s easy to lose sight of the fact that what contributes greatly to a liveable community is its friendliness. Luckily for all of us, cordiality isn’t difficult to build. It can begin with something as simple as a “good morning” as you leave your house or bringing in somebody else’s garbage cans after you’ve hauled your own into the carport.

Help bring a sense of community to where you live with a smile to those who share your street.

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Still Water Books and Art celebrates cultural beauty

Tucked between the library and Photo Tech on Shopper’s Row is Still Water Books and Art, the newest hang out for word addicts in Campbell River. Kids, travel, hobbies and crafts, fiction, business, and nature – the categories are varied and offer relaxed browsing. Prices are reasonable and the books are in quality condition.

Owner/operator Ruth McMonagle says, “You grow as a person constantly” in this business, also saying “this job makes it easy to love life”.

The seeds for this undertaking were planted years ago, early in Ruth’s relationship with husband Trevor, when she managed the book store at the University of Winnipeg and also worked at the city’s art gallery.

“That’s the cohesion (of the books and art),” she said. “A big part of our coupleness” has been, and continues to be, art and books.

In the years following, various people suggested to Ruth that she give serious thought to entering the world of  book store ownership. The thought appealed to her on a deep level, feeling that her love of reading, sharing  knowledge, and being an enthusiatic people-person would stand her in good stead.
 
Ruth and Trevor began acquiring stock a couple of years ago with the faith that opening a book store would eventually happen. Ruth also took on how to run a successful book store. Visiting bookstores in Winnipeg, Portland, and Bellingham was also part of the preparation Ruth and Trevor made a priority. They were interested in learning about their operation and discovering their specialities and unique characters.

And not too long ago, they felt the time was right. A space in the downtown core was renovated to create a cozy, friendly feeling, and shelves were stocked. The doors opened only slightly more than a month and already Ruth is  discovering unexpected joys.

“You receive a lot from the people you serve. You hear life stories and people’s insights into the world.”

In addition to books, works by local artists work are also featured. Currently, potter Kathy Mancell, nature photographer Jamie Scarrow, and painter Jill Paris Rody all have creations on display. Recently, romantic painter, Jim Miller, has added four of his oils as well.

“It’s an enriching experience” but not necessarily in a monetary sense. The business allows a lot of freedom – from how to market a book within the store to making plans for offering broad-based cultural events suitable for all ages.

Included in the future plans are folk singing evenings, a paper making seminar, reading club, and starting in early September, freshly brewed coffee from Salt Spring Island at affordable prices.

Trevor has been a regular in the store since its opening earlier this summer, however, with teaching at Carihi about to begin for another year, his time will be limited. But his lack of physical presence doesn’t mean he won’t continue to play an intergral part in the business.

“Trevor’s a huge influence on my thinking,” confided Ruth.

A successful book store owner needs to have been bitten by the reading bug or the business simply becomes shelves with books minus the passion. When Ruth is asked about her favorite writers, she doesn’t hesitate to share:

* George Macdonald, a 19th centure Scottish writer and contemporary of Charles Dickens, and the inspiration behind C.S. Lewis and Tolkein, because of his “deep sense of humanity”
*Fedor Dostoevsky, Anton Chekov, and other Russian writers. Their sense of personhood is completely different from Macdonald. They “deal with violence and a violated humanity”;
*Books from the 1940s and 50s, provide Ruth’s “comfort reads” as do short contemporary novels.

Still Water Books is open every day except Sunday from 10am to 6pm. Look for the book tables outside at #120 – 1260 Shopper’s Row. Call them at 250-850-3103. Check out their website at www.stillwaterbooksandart.ca.

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