Colour it Juno! Congratulations to Helen Austin, for winning Children's Album of the Year at this year's Juno Awards. Second time lucky. Well deserved! Helen is an incredibly talented songwriter, musician and vocalist making music all over the Valley for the enjoyment of many. Helen, we Comox Vallians appreciate what you give back to the community and we are so very proud of your musical accomplishments!
Many thanks to the 200+ audience who enjoyed the VI Mountain Film Fest in the stan Hagen Theatre at North Island College and thereby supported the Strathcona Wilderness Institute in our upcoming year of outreach, fundraising, and programming activities in Strathcona Park. We will continue efforts to streamline entry at the door — although we promoted advance ticket sales, there were lots of people lining up who hadn’t reserved tickets. Happily, everyone who wanted a seat, did get in! (Note for the future – get tickets early!) A great team of volunteers all pitched in, even a few members of the audience added their assistance when needed, which was greatly appreciated. Some of the comments: “great films, good variety”, “fantastic photography”, “great night”, “really good” , “excellent show, loved it”. “Loved the film fest – Thanks! I would be there if you have it next year.” “Really enjoyed the films. A great night. I hope it was a success for Strathcona – this summer I may try to volunteer as well.” SWI would appreciate further feedback — let us know any more comments on our Facebook page, Twitter, or via e-mail or our website at www.strathconapark.org.
Many happy hours of reading to all the folks who have already donated books to Comox Valley Book Friends for their annual sale. To collect further donations, Book Friends are having their last Book Blitz day on Saturday, April 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The location for donations and also for the sale is 260B Tsolum Road, which is the big yellow building behind Value Village (look for the signs). Book friends would be happy to receive your donations of books (in good condition), CDs, DVDs, puzzles and games on these days and they are also collecting every Wednesday morning until the sale April 25 to 27. For further information or pickup of larger loads, call Sue at 250-338-5969.
A big beef to the owners of Crown Isle re the shopping area at Thrifty foods. ANOTHER dollar store, ANOTHER lube store, ANOTHER fast food joint? Where is a nice restaurant? Where is the neighbourhood pub that is so badly needed in this area? Where are the nice little gift shops? Why do we continually get the same shops in these new shopping areas? Do you have no imagination? Did you ask the people in the area what they would like to have? I think it is no to both questions. Shame on you for not taking this opportunity to make a unique meeting place for everyone. I guess the almighty dollar is all that matters to developers.
To the woman texting while driving, with child in car. To the man texting with children in car; child in front was too young not to have a car seat. Wish I was able to obtain your licence plate numbers.
Don't you care — to the woman who was smoking beside the child, while walking toward the Costco doors.
I'm writing this to warn people that they need to be vigilant in checking their receipts before they walk out of a store. I purchased an item at a big box electronics store. I was asked by the salesperson if I wanted their "protection" plan. The salesman explained that it would be around $14 per month for a two-year term. I told him no thanks! Why would I purchase a "protection" plan for a small ticket item (under $200)? I tried contacting the store to have the plan stopped and was told that they could not cancel the plan because it was over the cutoff date for cancellation. I have been back and forth between the store and their head office. No one seems to know what to do about it. Now their lawyers say that there is nothing I can do, as I signed the agreement at the store. I signed for my purchases not for the plan. Interestingly enough, I received a newsletter a few weeks ago warning me that I need to be vigilant because big box stores are slipping these protection plans onto your bill. Go figure. Be very careful of what you buy from any store that have these plans! There is no way I would have purchased this plan for such a small item. As a result of their poor customer relations, I and my family will not be back to this store again. How often have you discovered mistakes in your bill after going out for dinner or shopping for groceries, any store can do that so check check and double check those receipts. It was an expensive lesson for me, I will be checking more closely, that's for sure.
Wishing a penalty-free summer to the Glacier Kings' hockey players, coaches, trainers, management, volunteers, sponsors and fans for a wonderful winter of Tripe E Hockey — Exciting, Entertaining and Enthusiastic. Looking forward to next season!
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Do you have somebody to praise or something you have to get off your chest? Have your say by submitting to editor@comoxvalleyrecord.com. Please focus on people's ideas rather than speculating about their character. You can also get a written submission to 765 McPhee Ave., Courtenay, B.C. V9N 2Z7 or fax to 250-338-5568. If you wish to talk to the editor, phone Mark Allan at 250-338-7816, 2309.