A brotherhood on four wheels
Jay Zemanek has been skateboarding since he was eight years old. Back in 1986 in Red Deer, Alberta, there was no such thing as a skate park. For Zemanek and his friends, skateboarding meant getting creative on bumpy driveways and rocky sidewalks. Unless you had the means to travel to Free Wheelin’ Skateboards in Calgary, … Continued
American Bullfrog vs. The Western Toad
By contributor James Mackinnon. Read more the Museum News series. In the most recent issue of The Navigator (Vol. 46 No. 13, March 25 – April 7), this column featured Vancouver Island Amphibians. Unfortunately, a certain number of errors regarding the native Western Toad and the introduced American Bullfrog made it through the editing process and … Continued
VIU’s spring jazz concerts showcase student talent
The VIU Jazz Ensemble rehearses for the Spring Showcase Concerts coming up April 7, 8, and 9. Student musicians (l-r) Trevor Fisher (saxophone), Chris Welch (alto saxophone), Robyn Fortunal (alto saxophone) and Josh Pare (tenor saxophone) practice an arrangement under the direction of Professor Greg Bush. By contributor Shari Bishop Bowes Jazz lovers are invited to enjoy three … Continued
Feed the bees: A look behind the extinguishing black and yellow population
Stooped over, tending the tomatillo plants in my garden on a hot August day last summer, I was confronted by a sharp sound. “Buzz!” It wasn’t the general buzz of just any bee; this was a message. Evidently, I was disturbing its work. I was in the way. Luscious flowers of bright yellow and brown … Continued
Museum news: Amphibians of Vancouver Island
By contributor James Mackinnon. Read more the Museum News series. By now you’ve probably heard the nightly chorus, one of the surest signs that springtime is near. A choir so loud that it often hampers sleep, the song of the Pacific Tree Frog is a beautiful reminder of the rich amphibian diversity supported by our wetlands … Continued
Stem cell donor registration event in Nanaimo
By contributor Shari Bishop Bowes If there’s a chance you could save someone’s life, someone you’ve never met, would you do it? VIU Nursing students and Canadian Blood Services (CBS) are hoping to get a long list of healthy young adults showing up for a OneMatch stem cell donor registration event from 3 to 6 … Continued
In the flow zone with Karina Strong
If you attend a festival on Vancouver Island this summer and see a figure stilt-walking in a spectacular costume, chances are you’ve encountered a member of the Vesta Entertainment circus crew. And in Nanaimo, where the community of spinners and circus performers is only beginning to build a profile, Vesta owner and “ring mistress” Karina … Continued
Flying Circus: Nanaimo youth presents aerial and circus dance
Crimson Coast Dance Society and The Body Talk program present The Flying Circus—a week-long aerial and circus dance workshop during the SD68 spring break between Monday, March 23 and Friday, March 27 at the Romper Room Climbing Centre. The event will round off with a gala performance on the Saturday night. Organized by the Crimson … Continued
First annual Festival Nanaimo coming in March
Nanaimo locals and visitors celebrate all the city has to offer during the month of March with Festival Nanaimo. Put on by the Vancouver Island Symphony in partnership with organizations such as Tourism Nanaimo, the Downtown Nanaimo Business Improvement Association, and the Chamber of Commerce, this is the first year of Festival Nanaimo. The festival … Continued
Chemainus students collaborate to carve traditional canoe
By contributor Jessie Deeble Master Carver John Marston has dedicated the next three and a half months to carving a traditional Coast Salish canoe at Chemainus Secondary. The Chemainus alumni is doing his part to help bring awareness to the students about the cultural diversity in their community. Marston has been working towards this project … Continued
Gelato: A natural indulgence
By contributor Jennifer Cox Tucked away on a rural property just off the highway in Fanny Bay, Karen Fouracre and Jaki Ayton raise a rambunctious and joyful group of Toggenburg goats. As small-scale farmers, they take pride in the fact that they know their goats by name. Best friends since high school, they have been … Continued
Men’s basketball dominates home finale
The VIU Mariners put on a clinic during their last home games of the season, picking up dominant victories over the visiting Columbia College Bearcats and Kwantlen University Eagles. With the victories, the Mariners finished the season undefeated on home court in the PacWest this season, amassing a 10-0 record. On Friday, February 20 the … Continued
UFO Day and Islands Short Fiction Contest
Sometimes projects get started but never seem to get finished. These events encourage people to complete and submit their work From textiles and art projects to creative writing, Islanders have opportunities this spring to practice and showcase their work. The Nanaimo Arts Council is hosting an Unfinished Object (UFO) Day, as well as co-sponsoring the Islands Short … Continued
Clippers clinch Island Division, await playoffs
As the British Columbia Hockey League season is entering its final weekend, the Nanaimo Clippers still await an opponent for the first round of the playoffs. The Clippers celebrated Family Day with a 5-2 victory over the Powell River Kings. The win clinched the BCHL’s Island Division, the team’s first division title since 2008. The … Continued