Mid Island News

Funny Friday: Shadow Complex

admin — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:05:15 +0000

what's everyone looking at?

Shadow complex, time to find some sun!

Find out if a Vancouver Island Marmot saw their shadow.

Spring is in the air!

Mid Island News

Maple Sugar Festival in Nanaimo

admin — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:30:30 +0000

The 11th annual Maple Sugar Festival du Sucre d’Érable is coming to Nanaimo, February 10 – 12, 2012 at the Beban Auditorium. A cultural celebration of food and music, the Maple Sugar Festival brings eastern Canadian traditions, French “chansons” and entertainment to the west coast.

It is timely to note that some people elsewhere in North America are being sold counterfeit maple syrup. This so-called “pure” maple syrup is being made with cane sugar and or beet sugar. As a result, senators from Vermont and Maine have been working on the Maple Agriculture Protection and Law Enforcement Act, which would make selling counterfeit maple syrup a felony punishable by up to five years in prison. In Canada, a senate committee will be putting forward a motion for new labelling standards for ‘Grade A’ maple syrup.

Performers include:
Le Bal a L’Huile – “oil lamp party” – seven vocalists and musicians from Eastern Quebec perform folk songs with foot tapping
Junior Belzile – guitarist and singer will perform a blend of old and new Quebec chansons
Vazzy – lively Acadian songs with fiddle, banjo, spoons, mandolin, harmonica and jaws harp
Acoustique Too – accoustic guitarists and singers Martin Richard and Jean-Philippe Cournoyer
Clochette et Les Rigolos – clown and singer Lison Clochette
Les Cornouillers – “the dogwoods” – a French Canadian folk dance group based in Victoria
Fiddlin’ Frenzy – North American fiddle champions who love to fiddle in the old time tradition
Glengarry School of Celtic Dance – Celtic dance troupe
Rueda Loca – “crazy wheel” – salsa dance group performs in a circle

Friday, February 10th: free admission
4:00 to 10:00 pm Opening Ceremony: 7:00 pm (suggested donation of $2)

Admission Adult:$5 Student:$3 Children:free
Saturday, February 11th: 9:00 am to 11:00 pm*
and Sunday, February 12th: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

*Saturday night performance:$10

For more information, visit Maple Sugar Festival du Sucre d’Érable.

Mid Island News

Wacky Wednesday: Goodbye January!

admin — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:00:32 +0000

Missing sunny weather

Goodbye January!

Thank you for the four fantastic days of sun!!

Mid Island News

Free Science and Tech Lecture Series at VIU

admin — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:03:31 +0000

Every Wednesday evening from 7:00pm to 8:00pm at Vancouver Island University the Science and Technology Lecture Series is being held. This free lecture series will be in the Education Building (Building 356) at the Lecture Theatre (Room 109) which is located at the top of the hill from the 4th Street entrance. The closest parking lot is Lot N.

Come and listen to these free lectures given by internationally acclaimed scientists and then after join in for conversation and light refreshments. Here is the schedule:

February 1, 2012 – Derek Matthews -Bird Banding Vancouver Avian Research Centre
February 8, 2012 – Dr. Damien Joly -The international trade in wildlife diseases
February 15, 2012 – Dr. David Gaumont Guay – Leukemia – the science of the disease
February 22, 2012- No Lecture – Reading Break
February 29, 2012 – Dr. Erin McClelland – Effect of Ocean Acidification on Shellfish
March 7, 2012 – Dr. Frank LoPinto – Animated QR codes
March 14, 2012 – Dr. Sheri Molnar – Seismic Hazard Mapping
March 21, 2010 – Speaker: TBA
March 28, 2012- Dr. Sarah Olson - Ebola: Wildlife Conservation and a Deadly Disease
April 4, 2012 – Dr. Jan Lovy – Infectious Diseases: Pacific Herring

For further information and details of the lectures visit Vancouver Island University Science Faculty or you can listen to the speakers being interviewed on “Not Rocket Science” aired weekly at 1:00 pm on Wednesdays and Fridays on CHLY 101.7fm.

Mid Island News

Possible site for New Library in Nanaimo

admin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 13:47:55 +0000

There is a possibility that Nanaimo could get a new public library at 6550 Hammond Bay Road. Currently, the Vancouver Island Regional Library uses the building as its administration office. At present there is an active book drop so you can return your borrowed library books at this location.

The Vancouver Island Regional Library is inviting feedback from the public regarding this location as well as any other comments regarding library space.

You can send your suggestions to district(at)lantzville.ca if you live in Lantzville, or you could contact the VIRL at nanaimonorth(at)virl.bc.ca if you live in Nanaimo. Lanztville town council plans to meet with VIRL staff and present comments from the community.

Mid Island News

Funny Friday: Nanaimo sassy cat

admin — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:00:52 +0000

"Sassy Cat" - who me?

A Nanaimo sassy cat is a cat who is above everyone!

No licence required just walk around as you please!!

Mid Island News

Call for Actors at Village of Qualicum Theatre

admin — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 13:31:13 +0000

New shows are planned for 2012 at the Village Theatre in Qualicum. The shows are put on by the Bard to Broadway Theatre Society.

The Bard to Broadway Theatre Society has selected 2 shows for their 13th season, “Hello Dolly” and “Becky’s New Car.” The shows will run from July 9th to August 18th, 2012.

Come and audition for these two shows. They need men and women from ages 15 to 70 roles includes both singing and non-singing. When auditioning bring your choice of material and for singing about 16 bars of a song.

Cast Requirements for Hello Dolly:
Dolly Levi: starring female strong voice and excellent comedic timing
Horace Vandergelder: leading male, gruff excellent comedic timing
Cornelius & Irene Molloy: both playing 33 years old strong singers, some dance
Barnaby & Minnie Fay: both playing about 17 years old, some dance comedic timing
Ermengarde & Ambrose: both playing 17-20, strong dance required
Ernestina: mature woman with good comedic timing
Chorus: some group dancing. Strong acting skills appreciated but not necessary
Waiters: male or female with very strong dance skills

Auditions are planned for the following dates:
Saturday, January 28th, St. Paul’s Anglican Church, 100 Chapel Street in Nanaimo 2- 5pm
Sunday January 29th at Shelly Road Centre, 186 Shelly Road in Parksville 2-5pm
Sunday February 5th at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, 100 Chapel Street in Nanaimo 2-5pm
Sunday February 12th at Shelly Road in Parksville (Call-backs)

For more information visit Bard to Broadway Theatre Society.

Mid Island News

Wacky Wednesday: Figurehead attracts wild fish

admin — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:15:32 +0000

Why do these old abandon boats have such vacant looking figureheads?

There are lots of underwater attractions off the coast of Nanaimo.

Wonder if any old figureheads have been found?

Mid Island News

New Look for Cedar Main Street

admin — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 13:53:23 +0000

The Regional District of Nanaimo is resuming the Main Street design for Cedar with a four day workshop and presentation, starting today. The charrette will take place at the Cedar Heritage Centre located at 1644 MacMillan Road in Cedar.

Cedar Community Design Charrette Schedule of Events
Day	Date	Event	Time	Purpose
Wednesday	January 25th, 2012	Presentations	9:30am – 12:00pm	Overview of the project
Thursday	January 26th, 2012	Presentation	7:30pm – 8:30pm	Presentation of concept sketches
Friday	January 27th, 2012	Work Day (no formal public event)	n/a	n/a
Saturday	January 28th, 2012	Open House and presentation	3:00pm – 5:00pm	Presentation of final concept sketches

In addition to the above, community members may drop in to the Cedar Heritage Centre to view design progress, make suggestions, share ideas, and ask questions at any time within the designated site office hours identified below.

Date	Site Office Hours Cedar Heritage Centre
Wednesday January 25th, 2012	1:00 -5:00pm
Thursday January 26th, 2012	9:00am – 5:00pm
Friday January 27th, 2012	9:00am – 5:00pm
Saturday January 28th, 2012	9:00am – 3:00pm

For more information please visit the Regional District of Nanaimo website at www.rdn.bc.ca, email to cedarmainstreet(at)rdn.bc.ca or call Greg Keller, Senior Planner at (250) 390-6510.

Mid Island News

Free Orchestra Day in Nanaimo

admin — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:07:55 +0000

The Vancouver Island Symphony is offering a free special Community Day where the public is invited to come to The Port Theatre on Saturday February 18, 2012.

Come and check out the Vancouver Island Symphony (VIS) to see what happens during a symphony rehearsal and try all the instruments of the orchestra.

Activities include:

11 am – 12 noon: Musical Instrument Zoo – Come try the instruments of the orchestra!
11:45 am – 12:15 pm: NoteworthyKids Music Club Event – meet Conductor Pierre Simard
12:30 pm – 1:30 pm Open Symphony Rehearsal Event

Reserve your Free Ticket through the Port Theatre Ticket Centre or call the theatre at 250-754-0177.

Mid Island News