Busy Week

It's a busy week this week so I won't be blogging much. My husband is currently out of town for a two week fund raising for cancer event all over the island and my grandfather is in the hospital again and really unwell. I'm finding little time being a single parent to my two kids and much too distracted with worry for my grandfather so I'll be back soon!

I've been really enjoying reading Gord's new blog and all that he has to offer Nanaimo. He's running in the upcoming civic election in November. His blog thoughts are well worth checking out. 

Civic Elections

I know it's a bit early for the upcoming civic elections but I'm finding it difficult to discover what exactly candidates running are hoping to accomplish when and if they are elected. I've been to a few websites like Fred Pattje and Pat Squire and while their sites are professional looking (even with the classic token pictures of each chatting up seniors) they offer no real insight into their political platform. I've heard complementary things about the two examples above and yet I'd like to cast a vote for more than just a "nice guy". 

I'm tired of political catch words. A political platform for should outline a candidates opinion on an issue and define what action that candidate intends to take to address the matter. Obviously a candidate isn't going to have an opinion on every concern facing Nanaimo but each should clearly demonstrate their understanding and ideals for the issues they intend to work on during their term. This is why a council is elected, so they can work together on all issues. 

I would like to see each potential candidate demonstrate how they can collaborate with other council members to bring about effective change on behalf of the city. I'm not looking forward to a debate if one is planned because we don't need to elect stubborn and argumentative people. We need to elect people with good ideology with the skills to work with other councillors to get things done. 

I'd love to hear more about the issues and worthwhile candidates who might address them. Who's catching your eye during this election?

Gabriola Island Fall Fair

It was the Gabriola Fall Fair yesterday. Anyone else go? It was a beautiful day. Perfectly sunny yet cool enough that the walk uphill from the ferry terminal to the Commons was lovely. I did sadly get a really bad sunburn on my shoulders though.

There was so much to see. I was impressed with the HUGE garden protected behind a deer proof fence. There was music being played as well as highland dancers. We saw a lot of fall fair winners, from crochet table clothes to giant turkeys (well it was giant to me!).

What fall fair is complete without a squash race?



A very cool base guitar:

Gordon Fuller

Further to my post about South End Representation and Gordon Fuller's running for city council I was in touch with Gord today. He was kind enough to email me some information about himself to facilitate anyone looking online in getting to know who he is and what he can offer the City of Nanaimo. I replied to him with the sentiment I share now: I think he would be an asset to the City of Nanaimo and I would be proud to live here if the changes he suggests are made. 

November 15th
Elect to Council

Gordon Fuller

Building Community

An Alternative to Vested Interests

In running for Council for the third time Gord believes he would bring a balanced perspective with both personal and professional experience around social issues as well as his involvement over the years with various community groups. A long time Social and Community activist Gord knows it is critical to recognise the importance of a healthy diverse economy in providing meaningful employment and the necessary tax base from which to run our fair city. “We need a strong advocate on council representing the interests of the South End, an advocate who also understands the issues in other areas of the city as well. There is much to be said for the Ward system as opposed to the at large. This becomes even more apparent when we consider South of the Hospital area has seen no elected representation for years.”

Gord is a third generation Nanaimoite, himself having lived in Nanaimo for the past 27 years most spent in the South End and Downtown areas. In 2002 he completed a degree in Child & Youth Care at Malaspina University/College while working full time as manager of Samaritan House Emergency Shelter. Gord is currently employed with Nanaimo Youth Services Association as coordinator of their 20 unit Youth Housing Complex.

Active in the community Gord Fuller is currently Co-Chair of the Nanaimo 7-10 Club Society, President of Friends of Plan Nanaimo, Vice President of the South End Community Association and Vice Chair of the Nanaimo Neighbourhood Netwerk. He is also an active participant on the Board of Citizens Advocacy as well as with the Downtown Nanaimo Partnership – Housing Design Development subcommittee, Working Group on Homeless Issues, Neighbours of Nob Hill, Nanaimo Old City Association and Mid Island Coalition for Strong Communities. Gord’s past community involvement has also been extensive including participation with the Nanaimo Crystal Meth Task Force, Nanaimo Alcohol and Drug Action Coalition, Working Group on Downtown Social Issues, Mental Health Advisory Council, City of Nanaimo Nuisance Property Committee, Nanaimo Social Development Strategy, S.A.F.E.R Downtown Nanaimo Project, Community Food Connection, Food Link Nanaimo, Action for Diversity Team and Nanaimo Food Share Society.

“I believe Nanaimo is a unique city that still has an opportunity to work collectively towards not repeating the mistakes other cities have made in the past. We need to focus on the preservation of Nanaimo’s heritage with development that works in harmony with the waterfront and mountain vistas, maintaining the unique character of neighbourhoods and the community, Citizen Driven and Not Developer Driven. Smart Growth not rapid growth should determine Nanaimo’s future.”

“We need to implement sustainable small-scale social programs that move away from the institutional and towards community integration. We must work towards Social Equality and the elimination of the endemic poverty that exists in Nanaimo. This process can be accomplished in part through innovative sustainable affordable housing options that do not place a greater burden on the already high taxes that exist in Nanaimo. It is imperative that we, as a community, recognize and value diversity and the potential of all citizens in contributing to make Nanaimo a vibrant and inclusive community.”

In keeping with a vision of a healthy community Gord believes, “we must look towards the environment both urban and rural. Initiatives towards green energy, environmental protection and public ownership of our drinking water must be given priority.”

Other Comments:

Parks: “ From recreational to Tot Lots we need to ensure all of Nanaimo’s Parks are safe from rezoning in the future.”

Water: “We need to ensure that privatization of water never comes up on the agenda of the municipality and Regional District. Nanaimo needs to look to the purchase of the watersheds surrounding our drinking water.”

Planning: “Nanaimo is fast becoming a laughing stock, among communities across Canada, when it comes to urban planning. We need to implement smart growth principals creating density within, rather than by expanding, the urban containment boundary.”

Development: “Neighbourhood involvement needs to be the first step for developers before taking their projects to the city for approval. “

Housing & Homelessness: “The City of Nanaimo must lobby provincial and federal levels of government to work with the municipality in the provision of affordable/social housing and other means to end homelessness and poverty in Nanaimo.”

Concentration of Social Services: “Most communities work from the adage that you put the services where the people are. This has tended to concentrate services in the downtown or bordering neighbourhoods and results in urban decay and the ghettoization of the community. Poverty is not located in any one area and as such we need to look at creating smaller scale services outside of the downtown areas. We need to move away from large scale all-in-one institutional settings.”  

Food Security/Policy: “The City of Nanaimo must adopt a food charter coordinating municipal strategy that will encourage greater support for local food producers as well as allowing for the development of community gardens that would help provide food security to those in need in Nanaimo.”

Conflict of Interest: “If there is even a remote chance of conflict or perceived conflict of interest councilors must make it known.”

Councilor behaviour at council meetings/public hearings: “The denigrating of people speaking to council must stop. All citizens coming before council must be treated with respect.”

City Council Terms of Office: “Too often this has become a career, many having sat on council for 25 years or more. I believe we need to limit the number of terms a person sits on council to 2 or 3 at the most. This would allow for a quicker turnover to fresh ideas and enthusiasm on the part of newly elected municipal officials.”

A strong believer in an open communication process you can feel free to contact Gord at:
Ph: 250 754 6389
e-mail: gorfathome@yahoo.ca

Marathons, Buskers and Movie Theatres

We were walking downtown today to watch the finish line of the half marathon. My husband had been volunteering earlier in the course and we wanted to cheer on a few friends we knew running. I couldn't believe all that was set up at the end of the race. I've seen these tent contraptions where runners could cool themselves off before where the tent is strung with small hoses spraying mist. Runners also had the option to take the seemingly more popular method of cooling off- by getting their hair washed by hairdressers. What a bizarre scene. There was also a fruit bar for the runners and a band playing in the back of the courtyard. 

Probably the highlight of the day was the busker/singer down in front of the fish and chips restaurant on the boat docks. I've seen him from time to time and man, can he sing. I always enjoy stopping for a longer listen.

We walked up Church street past the Modern Cafe and saw that the old theatre is getting torn down. Even though the theatre hadn't been showing pictures there in quite some time I find myself feeling down being reminded that if I want to go see a movie on the big screen I have to do it in North Nanaimo. I miss the days of walking to and from the movie theatre and never go see movies now because I'm not interested or willing to drive all the way to the characterless sprawl that is North Nanaimo. It just isn't worth starting up the car for. 

I'd love to see a working movie theatre somewhere in the downtown or south end. And I'm not talking about some megaplex with a ridiculous excess of theatres, gaming and other money sucks. Cheap- yet ironically expensive, faceless, zero community feel. Yes, the walmart of theatres is not what we need. 

Just a good old theatre with maybe one or two cinemas. Showing new movies or waiting a week or two after a movie has opened elsewhere. It would be perfect for the people who live here who don't have a need for instant gratification and enjoy not having to drive everywhere. It could get people out walking which of course is good for their bodies, minds as well as good for the community at large.

South End Representation

I saw in the paper today that Gordon Fuller is going to run for Nanaimo city council. While I'm glad to see an article about him, for gawd sakes could then not use a better picture? I'll save the rant on the dodgy editorialising by the local newspaper for another day. Go Nanaimo Blog also makes mention of Gordon here (with a normal photograph of him even). I wish there was more about Gordon online to get to know him better and follow his campaign to become a city council member. Maybe Gord needs to enter the world of Facebook!

I don't know Gordon apart from what I'm reading recently and occasionally seeing him around town but I'm excited about the possible south end representation. Too many decisions made for (south) Nanaimo are made by people who don't live here and their decisions seem to be exclusively interested in making money instead of putting what's good for the local community first. These people can't and/or don't truly care what goes on here because it isn't in their backyard. 

From what I've read about Gordon so far, I like that he's involved in a number of different programs in the community. Oh heck, if that's not the understatement of the century. This guy is a part of almost every social advocacy group in the city! He obviously has an interest in making things better and is aware of the many real problems our community faces. 

I'm looking forward to hearing more about Gord's vision for the city. 

South End Community Association

I noticed the South End Community Association now has a blog of their own. 

http://seca1.wordpress.com/ 

This will be a good opportunity to stay up on what's going on in the South End. I see that they already have a number of good articles about the South End being split into different ridings for Provincial elections and updates on Deverille Park. It's worth a look.

Bedside Challenge

I decided to take on the challenge that Dilling accepted recently here to post a photo of her night stand without cleaning or tidying it first. Thanks to CindyDianne for the challenge.

First off, I'm a little disgusted at the dust on and under my night stand. I'm going to tidy that up today!

So here it is. Mid-century modern in style. Like Dilling, I use a battery operated clock. Leftover from my working outside the home days. I now care very little about what time it actually is. I love that it isn't lit unless you want it to be.

I have a picture of my dog with some of his friends in the back of a pickup on the way home from a hike. 

As you can see, I'm currently reading the biography of Prince Charles circa 1979. It must have been a disappointment to write the book just before his dating and engagement to Diana but the book is a witty one and I'm enjoying it thus far. I love to read and always have a couple books next to the bed at the ready. Biographies are of particular interest to me. I see in the photo a copy of Raffi's book Child Honouring which is a really great book. I also keep my diary next to the bed. After my kids are asleep it's an easy time for me to catch up on some entries.

You might be wondering what's hanging over the drawer of my night stand. Those are diapers. Even though my son is dry overnight and doesn't wear them in the day I'm super paranoid about soiling the mattress so I kept the diapers next to the bed. Which also explains the flannel sheet folded in half and stretched across the upper half of my bed. Not only is it good protection but it's soft to sleep on as well. 

African Bean Soup

This is one of my favourite hearty soups to make. I've tweaked the recipe my dad shared with me years ago. I've never been that good at following recipes anyway. I had this for supper tonight!

It might seem strange to cook these vegetables with peanut butter and curry but I assure you it's a wonderful blend.

In a large pot pour a large splash of tamari and some water (maybe a few tbsp each). Add 1 chopped onion and 2-3 peeled and chopped yams.


Cook over high heat for about five minutes and then add 2-3 chopped carrots, 2-3 chopped celery sticks, 1 chopped red pepper.


Cover and cook another few minutes. Add a 28 oz can of diced tomatoes, 1.5 cups (dried but cooked previous to making the soup) chickpeas, 1 bunch chopped cilantro and at least 4 cups of water or stock. Sometimes I add more water/stock to make the soup go further.

[I'll soak my chickpeas for 3-4 hours and cook in my pressure cooker for 13 min or I cook from dry in my pressure cooker for 40 min. For soaked I add 3 cups of water per 1 cup dried beans and for unsoaked I add 4 cups of water per 1 cup of dried beans to the pressure cooker.]





Add a couple tsp of curry powder and a couple big spoonfuls of peanut butter (maybe 1/3-1/2 cup) and stir in.


Let it simmer until finished. I like to serve with homemade naan bread which I'll take pictures and share soon.