Mid Island News » Qualicum beach

Strong Odour near French Creek

admin — Wed, 23 May 2012 12:05:12 +0000

Have you noticed a strong odour near French Creek Harbour, close to the French Creek Pollution Control Centre? What is it? Good news, it is not the Pollution Control Centre.

The French Creek area is traditionally one of the most important herring spawning areas on the British Columbia coast.

Each year after the herring spawn, millions of eggs wash up on the beaches in the area, providing food for shorebirds and other wildlife. Later, as the eggs begin to rot, a strong odour of hydrogen sulphide is produced. Depending on the direction of the winds, the odour can be detected for kilometres. The beach that typically sees the most eggs is next to the French Creek Harbour, close to the French Creek Pollution Control Centre.

“The wind direction in this area is often onshore, which carries the odour towards the Island Highway,” explained Regional District of Nanaimo Chairperson Joe Stanhope. “I have lived on the beach for 70 years, so am extremely familiar with this yearly occurrence. People sometimes think the treatment plant is the source of the odour, but it is evident, particularly at this time of year, that the smell is the hydrogen sulphide from the decomposing eggs.”

The odour from the herring spawn generally starts to dissipate by the end of May, depending on the number of eggs that are deposited on the beach.

Mid Island News

Public Events on Rural Development

admin — Fri, 18 May 2012 12:00:40 +0000

Many people expressed an interest to review the policies relating to subdivision development in rural areas in the Regional District of Nanaimo. All next week you can bring your thoughts on alternatives to conventional subdivision developments. What do you want to see for future land development? Bring your ideas.

The following public events are:

Wednesday, May 23rd – Arrowsmith Hall, 1014 Ford Road, Coombs
4:00pm to 7:00pm – Open House
7:00pm to 8:30pm – Workshop

Thursday, May 24th – Lighthouse Community Hall, 240 Lion’s Way, Qualicum Bay
4:00pm to 7:00pm – Open House
7:00pm to 8:30pm – Workshop

Saturday, May 26th – Cranberry Community Hall, 1555 Morden Road, South Wellington
12:30pm to 3:00pm – Open House
3:00pm to 4:30pm – Workshop

Tuesday, June 5th – Nanoose Community Hall (Library), 2489 Nanoose Road, Nanoose Bay
4:00pm to 7:00pm – Open House
7:00pm to 8:30pm – Workshop

You are also encouraged to visit www.ruraldevelopment.ca and fill out a short survey.

Mid Island News

Watershed Protection Program

admin — Mon, 07 May 2012 11:23:17 +0000

Green building and water protection incentives are now available to residents for:

upgrading old wood stoves
installing domestic solar hot water systems
rainwater harvesting
grading site-cut timber for use in construction
conducting home energy assessments
installing a residential electric vehicle charging station

Those who achieve a high score on the Sustainable Development Checklist can be eligible for an additional incentive ranging in value from $500 to $1000.

Incentives are limited and available on a first come, first served basis. Approval is required before you can claim rainwater harvesting.

For more information visit The Regional District of Nanaimo or email sustainability(at)rdn.bc.ca.

Mid Island News

Hamilton Marsh near Qualicum Beach

admin — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 12:00:27 +0000

Are you looking for an interesting place to watch birds and nature?

Hamilton Marsh is the largest marsh wetland in the mid Vancouver Island area and is located just minutes from the Town of Qualicum Beach.

This is a peaty marsh, an oddity for this usually dry portion of eastern Vancouver Island. It is home to over 130 species of birds, numerous amphibians, and is one of the most important habitats on the island for native species of dragonflies.

To get there from Qualicum Beach, take Memorial Drive which turns into Highway 4 as you leave town. Keep going straight (under the highway). At the bottom of the first hill turn right onto Hilliers Road South. There are two visitor parking lots on Hilliers Road South which are on the left hand side.

If you park in the second parking lot you will find an easy trail to the marsh where there is a wood pier for viewing.

Hamilton Marsh is 3 kilometres long and 1/2 kilometre wide. Hamilton Marsh and the forest that surrounds it are owned by Island Timberlands and may be used on an “at your own risk” basis. Efforts to purchase this land by Ducks Unlimited Canada and the Regional District of Nanaimo have so far been rejected.

Mid Island News

Qualicum Beach Museum

admin — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 12:10:45 +0000

International Museum Day is coming up in May! To get you warmed up, take a look at Qualicum Beach Museum which is located across from the train station at
587 Beach Road, Qualicum Beach.

Qualicum Beach Historical and Museum Society was formed in 1982 by Elizabeth Little and several volunteers. After they restored the power house as a heritage building the society built a larger building to house the museum.

The Qualicum Beach Museum has one of the best collections of fossils found in British Columbia.

The collection was assembled and is curated by Graham Beard, who is an internationally known fossil collector along with volunteers from the Vancouver Island Paleontology Museum Society.

Mid Island News

Wanted: Island Historical Stories

admin — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 12:45:43 +0000

Do you have old stories to share about living on Vancouver Island?

The BC Historical Federation has started a permanent online source dedicated to British Columbia history and they are looking for your pioneer stories.

The BCHF are looking for historical stories or things you remember about the old days. This might include transportation, railway, oil companies, real estate companies, steamships, coal mines, steamboats, road building that sort of thing. For example, it is often quite hard finding out when a road or other project was completed but the local inhabitants know these details.

The goal of the online history project is to be the source where those seeking information on BC history can find useful answers to their questions and also serve as a valuable learning tool.

To find out more and where to submit your writing go to BC History Online.

Mid Island News

Wanted: Communications Officer for Qualicum Beach

admin — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 11:25:58 +0000

There is a hiring rush in the Mid Island for communications officers.

The Town of Qualicum Beach is hiring a communications officer to prepare a wide range of communication materials from media releases, newsletters, speeches, brochures and articles, as well as maintaining the Town’s website.

The position is a one-year term. The selected candidate is to supply their own office space, office equipment, any support services and be available on a flexible basis when required to attend to the duties of communications officer. Fee paid is to be commensurate with experience. Closing date is Friday, March 30, 2012.

For more information on this opportunity, visit The Town of Qualicum Beach.

Also, try applying to The City of Nanaimo, which has recently approved hiring a Communications Officer for $140,000 per year.

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

Woodstove Exchange Program for Mid Island

admin — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 13:45:37 +0000

The Nanaimo Regional District’s Woodstove Exchange program is back! While incentives last, home owners can access a $250 rebate when replacing an old wood burning appliance with an EPA/CSA-certified wood burning, pellet, or gas stove or insert.

In order to qualify for the incentive, you must be replacing a wood burning appliance in a home in the City of Nanaimo, the City of Parksville, the Town of Qualicum Beach, the RDN Electoral Areas, or the District of Lantzville. The old appliance must not conform to the CSA B415.1 standards (typically an appliance built and installed before 1994). You must also be replacing your appliance no earlier than January 16th, 2012 to participate.

For more information on how to recieve your rebate and a list of retailers participating in the program and other rebate and grant information visit the Regional District of Nanaimo for more information.

In addition to the rebates being offered by the Regional District of Nanaimo and member municipalities, many participating retailers are offering additional incentives towards the purchase of an eligible appliance.

Mid Island News

Call for submissions: Vancouver Island Short Film Festival

admin — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 13:55:35 +0000

Calling all film artists, the deadline to enter your short film is February 1, 2012.

It is year number 6 for The Vancouver Island Short Film Festival!

This film festival is extra special because it specifically features short filmmakers from Vancouver Island. The length of film is maximum 12 minutes including credits.

The Vancouver Island Short Film Festival creates opportunities for local filmmakers to screen their films, network with other film professionals and inspire.

For more information visit the Vancouver Island Short Film Festival website.

Mid Island News