1 Burnside Gorge Community News - April 2003

Inside this month...

Volume 17, No. 14 April 2003

Attention Washington Ave, Cecelia Rd, Alpha St andDupplin Rd residents and neighbours of the SPCA.

Important CommunityMeeting On Dog Barkingfrom the SPCA Facility

Where: the SPCA facilityWhen: Wednesday April 16, 7:00 p.m.

A community meeting has been called at the SPCA on the corner of Burnside Road andNapier Lane to hear from the residents who live around the SPCA on how the dog bark-ing from the facility has affected you and your neighbourhood. After over a decade of complaints from the community about dog barking from theSPCA facility, the SPCA has agreed to meet with local residents to hear their concerns.Previous to this, the SPCA has always contended that the dog barking was not a problemfor the neighbourhood. Local residents are invited to express their concerns to the attending members of CityCouncil, the BGCA Board, the City Noise Bylaw Office, and the SPCA. This may beyour only opportunity to let the SPCA know how the dog barking has affected you and toconvince them to upgrade their facility to reduce the noise. Please attend this meeting tohelp make a difference in your neighbourhood.Meeting starts at 7pm on Wednesday, 16th April 2003 at the SPCA on the corner ofBurnside Road and Napier Lane by the Cecelia Creek bridge. Bring your neighbour!For more information contact Washington Avenue resident Paul Chytyk at 480-7065 orthe Burnside Gorge Community Association at 388-5251.

Community MeetingMonday April 14, 7:00 pmout-of-school-care portable behind Burnside School

Volvo representative, Peter MacLaughlin, will be coming to the April 14 CommunityMeeting to initiate a discussion with the residents of Burnside Gorge on how to developthe empty lot at the north-east corner of Hillside and Douglas.At present, Volvo is proposing a mixed use development that would include a Volvo Salesand Service Centre. However, Mr. MacLaughlin also believes that "any development ofthis site should recognize the importance of the location and as such should explore thepotential to include other components such as residential and complementary retail." This corner lot is located on one of the most important intersections in Victoria and ispart of the entrance to the city. Good development on this site can help rejuvenate thispart of our neighbourhood and enhance Victoria's main street. If you have an interest inhearing what Volvo has in mind or if you wish to contribute to the discussion around thefuture of this site we encourage you to come out to the Community Meeting April 14

Japanese TeaGardens to deten-

tion campsIn Community

History

p.3

There’s hope insight for Rock Bayafter a history of

neglect

In Enviro-Newsp. 5

Ian Stewart RetiresHonda City sold to Victoria Infinity Nissan

Ian Stewart, owner of Honda City, has recently soldhis dealership to Victoria Nilsson. Ian turned 70 inNovember and recently celebrated the 25th anniver-sary of Honda City.

We are sad to see Ian's relationship with HondaCity end, as he has been an exemplary communitymember. His endless assistance with the school,the crosswalk program, the tree lighting, Coats forKids, Cecelia Creek Clean Up efforts, and supportof our newsletter and the community centre: the listis endless, and the Community Centre, and theBurnside Gorge Community, would not have thegrowing reputation they have if not for Ian's supportand efforts.

Ian now gets time to spend with his grandchildrenand work on a few favorite projects - but he will bemissed in the community. Thanks for everything Ian.

In 1999 we wrote a community profile, which weoffer again on page 2.

Sol Food Cafe & Sol Fine Foods �TheMarket�

Cafe, Deli, Catering @ 101-29557am - 4pm Monday - Friday

�The Market� @102-29558am - 5pm Monday - Thursday

8am - 6pm Friday9am - 3pm Saturday

2 Burnside Gorge Community News - April 2003

Burnside Gorge Community Centre in partnership with the City of Victoria

and Burnside Community School

Board of Directors

Howard Liptrot -- PresidentTom Arkell -- Vice PresidentKate Forster -- Vice PresidentRaymond Lee -- TreasurerJennifer Kent -- Secretary Duncan Ayre - Past President

StaffDean Fortin

Community DevelopmentDeb Beyersbergen

Recreation ProgrammerSuzanne Cole

Youth and Family ServicesGloria Kunz

Out of School CareColleen Kasting

Community HousingLisa Ferrie

Administrative Assistant

is published by the Burnside GorgeCommunity Association, 484 Cecelia Road,

Victoria BC, V8T 4T5phone: (250) 388-5251

fax: (250) 388-5256 newsletter-bgca@shaw.ca

StaffEditor Christabel PadmoreDistribution Mgr Kate ForsterContributorsChristabel Padmore, Dean Fortin, GordTomblin, Shirley Craig, Lona McRae,Colleen Kasting.

If you would like to contribute to theBurnside Gorge Community news pleasecall Christabel or Dean at 388-5251 or emailnewsletter-bgca@shaw.ca

Advertising: As a non-profit, we depend onadvertising to cover publishing costs. Pleasecontact Christabel, Dean or Shirley at 388-5251 or email newsletter-bgca@shaw.ca forrates and information.

ww.burnside.city.victoria.bc.ca

Available Now!Free public Internet Access at the Burnside

Gorge Community CentreMonday - Friday, 9am to 4pm

Work on word processing or surf the internetHelp available from 9am to 1pm Tuesdays andThursdays.Call 388-5251 for more information

DDAVIDAVID AANDERSONNDERSON

M.P. for VictoriaConstituency Office

922 View StreetVictoria, BC

V8V 3L5

phone: 363-3600fax: 363-8422 http://pinc.com/~danderson

Coming Soon!Teen and Seniors programs

Teen Programs(ages 12-14 and 15-16)

starting May 5, 2003Summer Camps Start July 7, 2003

Seniors* Programs$3 Drop-in hour

9-10 am Monday-Fridaystarts April 1, 2003

Gorge Fitness Centre115-2940 Jutland Rd

380-6820

* seniors must show prrof of age

Greater VictoriaToastmasters

For Better Listening - Thinking -Speaking

Improve your communications and leadership skills

Visit a club in the Burnside Gorge Area:

Trestle - Wednesday, 12:00pmMinistry of Water, Land and Air Protection

2975 Jutland RdContact: Raymond 356-9821

Victoria Beaver - Wednesday, 6:00pmTravelodge, 229 Gorge Rd. E.

Contact: Patricia 995-1382

More information and other Greater Victoriaclubs:

www.toastmasters.bc.ca

I have known of Ian Stewart, owner of Honda City, and his local involvement, for thepast six or seven years. I remember seeing the Honda City employee at the BurnsideRoad cross walk, helping school children, when I first came to the area. Later, thePrincipal of Burnside School and I went to Anawin House to see Ian donate a van. Andof course, every year at Christmas, Honda City does Coats for Kids and lights up the bigSequoia tree. Ian has been very active in supporting the School, the neighbourhood,and the City of Victoria. I thought it would be great to recognize his achievements andhis charity, so the Burnside Gorge Community News came up with the idea of combininga business profile and a community history article and recognize Ian.I started by getting a copy of Ian's resume to gather background information. It isimpressive - runs about 4 pages and includes many highlights of a distinguished career.Ian H. Stewart, QC barrister and solicitor, called to the Bar in 1961 Queens Counsel,1983 past advisor to the Minister of Labour, Minister of Health, Government of Yukon.Community Services include: former executive of Victoria Barr Association, Board ofDirectors for Silver Threads, Maritime Museum, Community Chest, Boy Scouts,Commonwealth Centre for Sports Development …Alderman for the City of Victoria,1966-1970. Chairman of the University of Victoria Board of Governors, 1982-85 and1987-92. Awards… The resume was very revealing, but one little piece fascinated me:"Date of Birth: November 10, 1932, Hankow, China." Ian was born in China, third gen-eration of Stewart Family to be so. How did he get to Canada? Why? How did he getto where he is today? This turned out to be the real story of Ian Stewart, a trulyCanadian story.

Great Grandfather, James Stewart, immigrated to China from Scotland in the late 1850'sat the time of the Opium Wars. He was a self-made engineer and had ten sons anddaughters. He settled in Northern China in a town of Tianjin in Hupeh Province, which is60 miles southeast of Beijing. Grandfather John Stewart had twelve offspring, one beingIan's father. Ian's mother came from Russia. Her father was a judge who had married ateacher from France. They were caught up in the Russian Revolution of 1917 and in1918 escaped across Siberia to China. Ian Stewart was born in 1932 in Hankow, a cityon the Yangtze River about three days journey from Shanghai.

In 1934 Mao Tse-Tung led the Communist Chinese on the Long March through hostileterritory into Northwest China. In November 1935 the Japanese invaded Shanghai andmoved troops into Hupeh Province. By 1938 the fighting was raging through the coun-tryside: Ian, at age 6, was evacuated with his younger brother and sister and his motherfrom Hankow to Hong Kong then to Manila in 1941 and then to Canada for the term ofthe war. In all, Mother Stewart and the three children spent 5 years in Vancouver. HisDad, Hugh, stayed behind and fought with the Hong Kong Volunteer Defence Corps.Father Stewart was taken prisoner by the Japanese when Hong Kong fell. Worried thathe would be separated from his family in Canada after hostilities ceased, he passedhimself off as part of the 1400 Canadians that were also taken. They were shipped toJapan to internment in a Work Camp. Liberated by the Americans in June of 1945, hewas "repatriated" to Canada via San Francisco, where he met up with his family. TheStewart family returned to China in the spring of 1946.

By this time, the Communists, under Mao, ruled the northern provinces of China. Ian'sfamily landed in Shanghai but moved to Hong Kong by the end of 1946. Then, in 1948,tragedy struck. Father Stewart was still doing business throughout China. On one par-ticular business trip in July, he decided to take his wife on the plane flight to Macau.This was a time of pirates and brigands. The plane was hijacked, rumoured to be heldfor either ransom or for the gold hidden in the hold. In any event, things went wrong andthe plane crashed, killing all on board, except for one of the pirates. The Stewart chil-dren were orphaned.

Ian's sister was sent to relatives in Scotland. Ian, 16 years of age, and his brother, Ron,14 years, were sent to Canada. Things did not work out where they were placed, so theboys were on their own. Both worked in whatever general labour jobs they could find-digging peat in the Surrey bogs, working the docks, cutting trees. Then they caught abreak. Both boys played on a Jr. football team. The UBC coach caught a game andinvited the boys to try out for the Thunderbirds. They jumped at this chance to go to uni-versity. As Ian Stewart stated, "We had to find out our potential and go for it". Heworked his way through seven years of post secondary education, setting up his careerpath. One that strangely lead him here, to Burnside.

3 Burnside Gorge Community News - April 2003

Community History: A regular column by G.R. Tomblin

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1.

For more than thirty years the most popular attraction of theTramway Gorge Park was the Japanese Tea Garden.

Opened to the public in July, 1907, the tea garden was the creation ofbusinessman Yoshijiro "Joe" Kishida and former houseboy Hayato"Harry" Takata. The detailed landscaping was overseen by Kishida'sfather, a professional garden designer brought over from Japan, while themuscle-power needed for building the shelters, planting the flowers, dig-ging the ponds and artificial streams, was provided by Japanese sealerswhose vessels were wintering in Victoria Harbour.The finished tea garden was a work of art, truly a delight to the senses.Built on an acre of lightly wooded land, enclosed by a bamboo fence, visi-tors marveled at the wonderland in which they found themselves.Rockery-lined paths wound among a dazzling profusion of flowers andshrubbery, sculpted pines and hedges, dragons and lanterns carved ofstone, groves of bamboo, hanging vines and wind chimes. There were lilyponds with huge goldfish swimming lazily, a duck pond, and a miniaturegarden with bonsai trees and a stream with a waterwheel. And in the coolness of the bamboo and vine-canopied shelters, patronscould choose from a bill of fare which included a variety of teas andsoups, fresh-baked bread, poached eggs, salads and cold plates, and icecream sundaes, all served by waiters in white jackets.However, by the 1930s the Japanese Tea Garden had fallen into a state ofdecay. One reason was the closure of the Gorge Road bridge, declaredunsafe in 1921; visitors could no longer ride the trams all the way to thepark. Another reason may have been the departure of Yoshijiro Kishida,who returned to Japan in 1922. Takata's younger brother took over as part-ner. From then on, albeit slowly, the business took a long slide into fail-ure. The final nail in the coffin was hammered home on December 7,1941, the day Japan attacked Pearl Harbour.

2.The Japanese (along with everyone else of "oriental appearance") hadalways been viewed with suspicion and dislike by many of the primarilyBritish white settlers in BC. And the more Japanese immigrants that land-ed on "their" shores, the more their fears multiplied. Laws were passed to limit immigration. Further laws made it a crime forthe Japanese to vote or hold public office. In spite of all that, manyJapanese managed to make a go of it and became successful in business.One such was Mr. Kosaburo Takahashi. He and his wife Toyo ran a thriv-ing cleaning and dyeing business on Yates Street in the 1930s. TheTakahashis lived in a handsome brick house at 42 Gorge Road, with abeautifully landscaped Japanese garden in the front yard. It all was lost with Pearl Harbour.Anti-Japanese hysteria, whipped up by the wartime press and radio,gripped the province's west coast. Japanese newspapers and schools wereshut down, fishing boats seized. Then in February 1942, prime minister MacKenzie King, following thelead of US president Franklin Roosevelt, issued one of this country'smost shameful orders: all persons of Japanese origin were to be evacuat-ed to "protective areas." Particularly disgusting was the section of the

order which authorised the seizing of all Japanese property "which couldnot be carried." That naturally included land, farms, livestock, businesses,houses, and vehicles. In January 1943, another outrageous order allowedfor the liquidation of all Japanese property which had been seized and uptill then held "in custody." In April 1942 Mr. and Mrs. Takahashi, and Mr. and Mrs. Takata and theirfive children were among the 270 men, women and children herded onto asteamer in Victoria Harbour and shipped to Vancouver, where, along withabout 2000 others, they were kept in livestock pens. Later, special trainscarried the "undesirables" to internment camps in the wilds of BC's interi-or. Conditions in the camps (mostly abandoned buildings in "ghost-towns"like New Denver) at least at first, were primitive. There was no electricityor running water and only a few old stoves for heating and cooking. Later,conditions improved-some small comfort for people whose lives had beenturned upside down.In all nearly 21,000 were torn from their homes, their jobs, their verylives. More than 13,000 were Canadian citizens by birth, many others hadlived in Canada for 30 years or more.Finally, the war ended and the internees were released-but their ordealwasn't quite over yet. There was a final insult. MacKenzie King gavethem two choices: go back to Japan or settle "east of the Rockies." Some,a few thousand, chose the former.Among those who chose to stay in the country that had betrayed themwere the Takahashis and the Takatas.On March 31, 1949, for the first time, they were free to vote. "Oh,

Canada!"

Japanese Canadians from Tea Gardens to Detention Camps

Japanese Tea Garden at the Gorge photo courtesy BC Archives

Seized Japanese fishing boats photo courtesy BC Archives

4 Burnside Gorge Community News - April 2003

Telephone (250) 381-7188Fax (250) 381-7804E-mail lawyers@carlaw.cawww.carlaw.ca

Focusing on personal injury and insurance litigation since 1985.

Free initial consulation at our Selkirk Waterfront offices.

6th Floor - 395 Waterfront CrescentVictoria, BC V8T 5K7

Susan Brice, MLASaanich South200-3939 Quadra StreetVictoria, BC V8X 1J5

“I look forward to serving youin our constituency office.”

Ph: 952-4418 / Fax: 952-4566Email: susan.brice.mla@leg.bc.ca

The Soap Exchange support the communityThe Soap Exchange is supporting Burnside Gorge Community Association by donating 10% of the net value of sales of anyone whomentions our name when purchasing a product.

The Soap Exchange products are classified without warning labels, such as "Danger", "Caution" or"Warning" because they are safe products that are environmentally friendly. A few of the good thingsabout Soap Exchange includes the following:

*They are environmentally sensitive 100% biodegradable products with a proven track record in industrial, commercial, institutional and personal care. *They provide a refilling station where you can re-use the containers reducing packaging.*The Soap exchange is a Canadian owned company.

The Soap Exchange is located at 1393A Hillside Avenue, on the corner of Hillside Avenue and CedarHill. So spread the word, all you have to do is try an environmentally friendly product, or bring youproduct in for a refill and say the words "Burnside Gorge Community Association".

The Community Chest Helping your neighbours

The Burnside Gorge Community is coming togeather onceagain this year to support local families and children.Local restaurant owners Colleen Garner of Sol Food Deli

and Cafe and Bill Singer and Mike Marley of South Bay Pub andRestaurant have pulled together a group of local businesses andcommunity members to raise money for the Community Chestfund.

Community Chest fund supports families who live in unstableliving situations in the Burnside Gorge area. "Without this fund, agreat number of families would have a bleak year," says ColleenKasting of the Burnside Gorge Community Centre. "TheCommunity Chest fund allows the family services team at theCentre to assist children and families with their basic needs."In the past year, the Centre helped one hundred and eighty five-families including 263 children find shelter or housing.

The Community Chest has been an invaluable source of supportfor people during difficult times. Recipients know that the com-munity supports them and when the time is right, they reciprocatethrough cash or in volunteer involvement. We hope that this fundwill not only enable families to become more secure, but that theyexperience the strength of community support.

Examples of how the funding has been used include: (1) damagedeposit for a family with no savings, (2) bus pass for a childwhose family moved from the area in order to ensure that thechild completed the school year at Burnside Community School(3) partial rent for a mother who had an accident and could notwork and (4) motel costs for a single parent family that has noplace to stay.

****COMMUNITY CHEST ********DINNER ****

Thursday April 17th @ 6:30 tickets are $60 ($45 tax receipt),phone the Burnside GorgeCommunity Centre 388-5251

The City of Victoria council has received the much awaited report on the Gorge Road Motel Conversions. Motel conversions along Gorge Road triggered anumber of concerns from residents and the Burnside Gorge CommunityAssociation (BGCA).

A special community meeting was hosted by the BGCA on October 28thwith close to 200 community members attending to voice their concerns. Themajor issues articulated included the potential for motel conversions and theirimpacts; the need for neighbourhood services; the need to follow the Transient Motel Conversions Guidelines; the need for a process of consultation; and theneed for an update of the Burnside Gorge Community Plan.

On March 20th, the Senior Planner for the City of Victoria, BrianSikstrom, reported back to Council, who reviewed the report and adopted the fol-lowing recommendations:

Adopt a policy of not supporting additional motel conversions in the Gorge Road area of the Burnside Gorge Community and direct staff to make thenecessary plan amendments.

Direct staff to undertake an update on the Gorge Road area of theBurnside Gorge Neighbourhood Plan, focusing on incentives and strategies thatwould enable and encourage redevelopment of motel sites for housing, particular-ly affordable apartments and family type townhouses.

In areas outside of the Gorge Road area, consider for approval only thosemotel conversion applications that clearly comply with the Motel TransientConversion Guidelines and that are in locations with adequate and convenientneighbourhood services.

In areas outside of the Gorge Road area, direct that the PublicConsultation Guidelines be used by applicants for motel conversions whererezoning is not a requirement, for example where applicants wish to undertakesupportive/assisted housing for temporary residents.

Councillor Savoie, the Burnside Gorge Community Liaison clarified thatthe review of the Gorge Road area would include taking a larger scope, such thatissues of services and amenities, commercial and retail needs, as well as green-ways, would be part and parcel of the effort. This would be in addition to lookingat how the City could encourage development of affordable family housing. When asked to comment about the decision, Kate Forster, RedevelopmentCommittee Chair of the BGCA said, "I think that the Community will generallybe happy with the recommendations, as they appear to address the concerns raisedat the October meeting. We are pleased that council agrees that affordable familyhousing is important and to this community. It also supports one of the top priori-ties of the Community Association, that of updating our Neighbourhood Plan -the Gorge Rd area is of extreme importance." She expressed that the various com-mittee members and the Board are eager to begin the process with the City. Oncemore information is available, the community will be given the opportunity toparticipate in the process.

City council reports on Gorge Rd motel conversions

5 Burnside Gorge Community News - April 2003

Do yourself a favourCOME IN AND COMPAREbefore you buy anyfurniture or mattress.

Dodd’s Furniture715 Finlayson Street

across from Mayfair SHopping CentreCall 388-6663

Sheila OrrVictoria HillsideMLA

“Privileged to serveyou!”

Community Office815 Bay Street

Victoria BCPhone: 952-4262Fax: 952-4488

www.sheilaorrmla.bc.caEmail: sheila.orr.mla@leg.bc.ca

By Jason Lasuik

Rock Bay has become a pollutedappendage of the larger body of waterextending from Victoria's Inner

Harbour to the Gorge Waterway. A combi-nation of historical activities occurring alongthe shoreline, and the present day toxic stormwaters washed off our streets and backyardspromotes an ecologically deprived bay.Currently there is hope to restore Rock Bayas plans are currently being developed toremediate areas with historical contamina-tion.Located southeast of the Bay Street Bridge,Rock Bay was encroached upon by thegrowth of the downtown core in the mid1800's, and as a consequence is no longer thebay that once was. At one point in time itwas a much larger bay with many islets forwhich it was named. The rocks, or isletswere engulfed within an encompassingshoreline, extending far enough eastward tointerrupt the present-day government street.Presently tucked away in a snug little cornerof the Inner Harboursurrounded by indus-trial activities, it is achallenge to glance atthe troubled waters(This coincides withthe air photo of RockBay which come fromthe CRDs' NaturalAreas Atlas).Around 1885 theurban areas of Victoriacontinued to expand,and a bridge crossedthe eastern section ofRock Bay, linkingGovernment Street tothe northern extension. During the mid tolate 1800's, Fernwood contained a swampymarshland, and Hillside Farms was found inthe Hillside area. Until approximately 1888a creek visibly connected all these areasreaching from the once swampy marshlandsin Fernwood to discharge into Rock Bay ofVictoria Upper Harbour. (This coincides withthe Town of Victoria Map from 1885)A natural occurring creek will collect the sur-face water as it journeys to its dischargepoint. In particular, this unnamed creek onceran southwest from the swampy marshlandsin Fernwood, passed under a bridge on CedarHill Road to proceed by Hillside Farm.Hillside Farm existed in the mid 1800'sbetween Bay Street and Hillside Avenue.The creek continued and meandered in thearea of Kings Road to eventually provide asource of fresh water to Rock Bay. Around1888 the creek was filled in, and the naturalwatercourse was eventually replaced withenclosing pipes or bricks to provide a directroute to hustle the water underground. Natureis one of the most powerful architects - justask anyone who has had a house wiped outdue to mudslide. Crafty engineers were ableto use mother nature's design and replacedthe creek with a system of pipes or brickedculverts veiled underground. The pipes servethe purpose of directing the run-off directlyto Rock Bay, preventing floods in the

expanding paved streets of Victoria, and con-cealing the contents of the piped water fromthe residents and wildlife living in the neigh-bourhoods. Back then engineers were onlyconcerned with piping the water off thestreets to prevent flooding. Over the last 100years our lifestyles have changed andbecome more toxic with an increase use ofpesticides, herbicides, motor oil and harmfulmaterials used in and around the home. Sotoday we are stuck with a situation where wecan no longer ignore the veiled waters, turn-ing the engineer's ingenuity into a pipedream.By 1887 and during the lifespan of theobscure creek, a second wooden bridgeknown as Rock Bay Bridge connected thenorth and south shores of Rock Bay.Allowing people to pass the rich and relative-ly clean waters for the idea of a bridge overtroubled waters was yet to be developed.The Rock Bay Bridge originally connectedBridge Street and Constance Street; around1903 the approach to Rock Bay Bridge had

been switchedalong thesouthern shoreto StoreStreet.Sometimeduring the1920's theRock Baybridge wasdismantledoccurredwhile the east-ern indent ofRock Bay wassimultaneous-ly being in

filled to the west side of Government Street.Progressive shoreline changes continued untilthe late 1950s. Now the area of Rock Bay ismuch smaller and the pollution much larger.The historical activities along the shores ofRock Bay at one time included a tannery,sawmills a coal gasification plant, andasphalt plant, a propane tank farm, and aconcrete batch plant. At one time BC Hydrostored capacitors that released PCB's into thesurrounding environment, and were forced toconduct remedial excavation of the SpecialWaste in 1993. These industries all played arole in infecting Rock Bay with persistentpollutants overwhelming the area with con-tamination that persists today.As citizens living with a contaminated shore-line we cannot reverse historical contamina-tion, but we do have control over the currentpollution entering Rock Bay. Engineeredpipes releasing contaminated water into RockBay originates in our street and backyards.Municipal and Federal level governmentshave recognized the current high level ofcontamination in and around Rock Bay andare doing something about it. TransportCanada is slated to remediate the shores andsediment within Rock Bay. The City ofVictoria is working to upgrade the catchbasins within the streets to provide a betterability to capture pollution at the source. It appears we are learning from our mistakes

and better yet, doing something about it. Or are we?A final concern remains with the pollution travellingfrom our streets and backyards to the now ecologicallydeprived marine environment. Hidden pipes under ourfeet often bring to mind out of sight is out of mind.Just like Rock Bay for the past 80 years. Once theRock Bay Bridge was taken away, so was our sense ofconnection to the area, and with few observing thecontinued decline of the ecosystem, it fell under a veil. The ingredients flushed from the streets and yards andhousehold within Burnside Gorge, Hillside-Quadra,Downtown, North Park, Oaklands, Fernwood,Rockland and Jubilee are known to contain harmfuland deadly ingredients discharged into Rock Bay.Residents need to begin using environmental friendlymethods in and around the home because Rock bay isan example of how a little pollution escalates into abig problem. Either as an industrial business operat-ing within the community or as a resident, our actionshave an affect on the environment, even though youmay not be able to directly see where the toxins in thehome end up, or how they get there. The proposedaction by Transport Canada and the City of Victoriaare grand, but won't stand for much unless we takeaction to prevent harmful chemicals from entering thestorm drains. Little changes in our daily routines willsupport the return of marine life into our neighbour-hood and turn pipe dreams into a reality.

Rock Bay No longer a pipe dream

Current Air Photo of Rock Bay. Photo Credit CRD Natural Areas Atlas

1885 Town of Victoria Map

6 Burnside Gorge Community News - April 2003

*5” continuous gutters*Gutter cleaning and mainte-nance*Gutter protection systems*Fascia / Barge / Window cap-ping*Steel Siding*Vinyl aluminum soffiting*Canopies / Patio covers*Aluminum railings

327 Harbour RoadVictoria BC, V9A 3S2

www.irwinvi.comemail: iivic@inetex.com

Paul Gerrard Phone: 382-5154Home: 360-1037 Fax: 382-5748

Pub & Restaurant

Great Venue, Menu & Beverage Selection - Great Value wthe best view of the Gorge in town.

2940 Jutland Road at Sawmill Point in the SelkirkWaterfront.

Phone 385 5643

1-Day Cycling Traffic Skills Courses - Free!Saturday April 12th or 26th *Plus more dates in May and June*

A day that will change the way you cycle & think about cycling.

The experience of cycling among a sea of cars can range from frighteningto feeling completely comfortable - the difference lies in the skill and con-fidence level of the cyclist. This 8 hour course, developed by the Bike toWork Society and sponsored by the CRD Traffic Safety Commission,combines classroom and practical on-road training. Both recreational andcommuter cyclists will find it very useful and empowering!You will learn: · How to ride comfortably and safely in heavy traffic · How to manoeuver around obstacles and make sudden stops · Tips for night riding and rain

· Proper bike fit and doing your own bike safety check · Practical advice on equipment, clothing and route planning

Better cyclists: · Ride more often · Make better drivers · Foster greater cooperation between all those sharing the road · Set a good example for children · Convince decision-makers to take cycling seriously & provide bet

ter facilities

For more information and to register, visit www.biketoworkvictoria.ca.Questions should be directed to Susanna Grimes at courses@bike-toworkvictoria.ca or 920-5705.

Join the thousands who cycle to work every day

By Debbie Smollett

On Saint Patrick's Day, March 17th 2003, some committed soulsbraved the evening chill to discuss neighbourhood safety. Withmembers of the Burnside Gorge Safety Committee, residents of

Carrington Court on the corner of Washington and Gorge Road took partin the first community safety audit. Community safety has been designated a top priority for Burnside Gorgeand it is the involvement of community residents that will make it a suc-cess. Monday night's turnout had six Carrington Court residents, with afew more dropping by to 'check out' our group hovering in the parkingarea, a few residents from neighbouring streets, and five SafetyCommittee members. It was a great turnout.Residents were led through the 'Safety Audit Kit' by Victoria City PoliceOfficer Jon Reid, the Community Resource Officer for Burnside. The 'kit'was provided by the City of Victoria. Areas of concern identified poorlighting, parking safety and shrubbery. The audit takes into considerationthe aspects of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED)such as using landscaping that does not provide areas to hide, and lightingto discourage areas of potential crime. The next Safety Audit will take place at the Treelane Estates on March31st at 7pm and all community residents of that area are encouraged tocome out and see what it is all about. The Audits will be taking placethroughout the community over the next few months. If you are interestedin having a Safety Audit in your area, give the Burnside GorgeCommunity Centre a call and let us know that you want to get involved(388-5251).

Numbers to call - a reminder!We can strengthen our neighbourhoods by improving our public spaces.Post these numbers on your fridge or near the phone to remind yourself orif you have any other community safety concerns not addressed here,bring it to the attention of the Community Association @ 388-5251. NEIGHBOURHOOD MAINTENANCE CONTACTS

Street lighting outages can be reported by phone to 361 0400, by e-mailto gerryw@city.victoria.bc.ca and through the city web site by selectingEngineering Department, Electrical, Gerry Wong. The report should

include the address that the light is located in front of and whether thelamp is burned out or flickering on and off. Based on these reports electri-cal crews are dispatched on Fridays to do the repairs.

Garbage and refuse on sidewalks and squares are the responsibility ofthe Street Cleaning section of the City. Reports can be made to PublicWorks 361-0446 or through the City Service centre @publicsrv@city.victoria.bc.ca.

Garbage and refuse on private property are driven by a complaint.Forward written information to the Bylaw enforcement office, #16Centennial Square, V8W 1P6; fax 361-0277 or dan@city.victoria.bc.ca.Following investigation, property owners are notified of the complaint andrequired to clean up the area. Lack of clean up may lead to the City pro-viding the service, and the cost will be added to the property tax.

Graffiti on public property is driven by complaint, which can be direct-ed to the Graffiti Hotline at 361-0466. For City Signage problems, callBrian Robinson at 361-0425.

Graffiti on private property is driven by complaint, which can be direct-ed to the City Police, specifically Victoria Police Constable Banky orO'Neill at 995-7654. Following investigation, the owner will be notifiedof the requirement to attend to cleaning it off. Lack of removal may leadto the City providing the service, and the cost will be added to the proper-ty tax. For graffiti removal, call Goodbye Graffiti (John Kalimeris) at 386-4747.

For other public spaces and agencies, call as appropriate:

Ø Pattison Bus Shelters call Brian Robinson at 361-0425Ø Shaw Cable Boxes call Joel Aplin at 475-1053 ex. 5286Ø Telus call Fred Cowan at 388-8617

B.C. Hydro contact Mary Vemernan, Public Affairs Co-ordinator 400 Madsen Road, Nanaimo, B.C. V9R 5M

BurnsideGorge SafetyCommitte visits

CarringtonCourt

7 Burnside Gorge Community News - April 2003

Community Bulletin Free Internet Access and computer tutoring available

at the Burnside GorgeCommunity Centre

Email, Internet, the World Wide Web; do these terms mean little to you? If so you are not alone, everyone is struggling to keep up with therapid changes in technology. There is hope, the Burnside Gorge Community Association in conjunction with the Victoria Telecommunity Network,with funding provided by Industry Canada, is offering completely FREE Internet access and basic computer help at the Burnside Gorge CommunityAssociation.

Beginning January 20 and running until March 31, a knowledgeable member of the South Island Community Access Network (SICAN) teamwill be available to help you with all your computer questions. Computers with Internet access are always available for public access during normalCommunity Centre hours of operation, regardless of the presence of a SICAN team member. For more information contact Andrew Paterson (apater-so@victoria.tc.ca), or just stop by the Burnside Gorge Community Association and learn a little about the Internet.

Computer help available:Monday 9am-NoonTuesday 1pm-4pm

Wednesday 9am-Noon

Spring Public Legal Education Sessions

Noise & Nuisance in the NeighbourhoodHow to deal with unreasonable noise or unsightly messes created by a neighbour. A con-sideration of how noise and nuisance by-laws may help; who to talk to at City Hall; theenforcement officer’s role; violations; what to do if there is no such by-law in your neigh-bourhood.Wednesday April 23, 7-10pmBurnside Gorge Community Centre (Out of School Care Portable, 3130 JutlandRoad

Contact the Law Centre @ 385-1221 to register

Centennial United Church649 Gorge Road East (at David Street)

Upcoming Events:Sunday April 13, 10:55 am Palm Sunday Worship

and communionFriday April 18, 11:00 am Good Friday Worship

Sunday April 20, 10:55 am Easter SundayWorship

The MEVA Association (for chronic fatigue Syndrome) will be having certi-fied professional “Life Coaches” at their next support meeting on TuesdayApril 15 from 1 - 3pm in the Clinic Room, Capital Region Health Offices, 2ndfloor - 3995 Quadra St; in the Mackenzie-Quadra Saanich Centre.

New comers welcome!

388-4478 or 384-4783email: me.victoria@shaw.ca

http://members.shaw.ca/me.victoria

The Burnside Community SchoolChess Club

The Burnside Community School Chess Club meets in theschool library every Thursday morning at 8 am. Theywould be delighted if any adults would like to come for agame before school or after school could be arranged ifthat would be more practical. Please call the School at382-1015 and leave a message for Mrs Strauss. We arealso looking for donations of Chess Sets or donationstowards the purchase of chess sets, Burnside CommunitySchool is also collecting empty pop bottles to help buychess sets. Any help would be much appreciated as thishas proved to be a stimulating challenge for many studentsas well as a fun thing to do.

Now Spring is here let's all pitch in to springclean our community by cleaning up our

own front yardsThis includes us all as residents and workers in the area, we can all pick up

the litter out side our house, apartment or place of employment. There was atime when McDonalds would send out someone to clean up litter in the blockaround their premises but that seems to have slipped over the years. I mustcommend West coast Appliances for their recent efforts clean up around theirbuilding but by the same token it is unfortunate to have the Bristol CourtCondo neglect to trim their shrubbery back from obstructing the sidewalk onGorge Road. These are not the only examples of things that can be done to bemore responsible citizens. One of the best ways would be to refrain from litter-ing ourselvesand taking pride in our own neighbourhood. Please return shopping carts to thestore rather than leave them on the street, where they fall into the hands of van-dals who end up pushing them into the Gorge or Cecelia Creek.

8 Burnside Gorge Community News - April 2003

Community RecreationAdult Programs

Health & Wellness

Low-Moderate Impact AerobicsInstructor: Jeannie MirmatahariGet a great workout and feel good with our lowto moderate impact aerobics. The program willinclude 30 minutes of fat burning aerobics fol-lowed by a cool down and muscle toning exer-cise. Location: Selkirk Montessori School Gym (2970 Jutland Rd.)Mon/Wed Apr 30-June 11 4:45-5:45pm 12/$40*Drop-in $4.50/class

Athletics & Sports

Adventure SportBeginner Kripalu YogaInstructor: Michelle GageIn this class we will be focusing on breath aware-ness and physical sensation as a means of draw-ing our bodies and mind into harmony. Classesconsist of a warm-up, stretching, yoga posturesand relaxation.Location: Selkirk Montessori School MP Room(2970 Jutland Rd.)Thu May 15-June 12 5:25-6:55pm 5/$45*Drop-In $10/class

Indoor Rock ClimbingLearn the proper techniques and commands forclimbing such as good hand placement andbelaying. The class provides one evening ofinstruction and three days of free passes topractice on your own during the Crag X openhours: (weekdays 1-11:30pm and weekends10am-6pm). All climbing gear isincluded.Location: Crag “X” ClimbingCentre (341 John St.)Tue May 27 7-9:30pm 1/$65Introduction toKayakingThis introductory course is designed for novicepaddlers or those who are interested in improvingtheir current sea kayaking skills. Basic boat han-dling, sea kayaking safety and trip planningessentials will be discussed. Location: Gorge Rowing/Kayak Centre (2940 Jutland Rd.)Sun May 25 11-2pm 1/$40

Beginner Bladers: Level 1Start the summer off with a fun and new activityLearn the fundamentals of rollerblading with thisintroductory program. Develop the basic skillsof balance, stopping, turning, two foot glidingand safety. Location: Burnside Gorge Elementary School(3130 Jutland Rd.)Tue/Thu May 27-June 5 6-7:30pm 4/$25

BadmintonCalling all levels of badminton players! A greatatmosphere that will appeal to the serious orcasual badminton player. Please bring your ownracquet! Location: Selkirk Montessori School Gym (2970Jutland Rd.)Wed Apr 16-June 11 8-9:30pm 9/$22.50 *Drop-In $4/session

BasketballSlam, shoot and dribble your wayto Monday and Thursday nightexcitement! All levels welcome.Location: Selkirk Montessori School Gym(2970 Jutland Rd.)Mon Apr 14-June 9 8-9:30pm 7/$20(No class Apr. 21 & May 19)Thu Apr 17-June 12 8:15-9:45pm 9/$22.50Drop-In $4/session

Introduction to WindowsInstructor: Daniel RomilaIntroduction to Windows will teach you about theparts of a computer and basic Windows taskssuch as how to create a simple document,findingand saving documents. Location: Burnside Gorge Cyber Station(3130 Jutland Rd.)Tue/Thu May 22-29 6:30-9:30pm 3/$90

Introduction to E-MailInstructor: Daniel RomilaYou will learn hands on experience on setting upan e-mail account, different types of e-mail pro-grams, sending attachments, setting filters andmuch more.Location: Burnside Gorge Cyber Station(3130 Jutland Rd.)Tue May 13 6:30-9:30pm 1/$40

Introduction to the InternetInstructor: Daniel RomilaA great beginners course for those seeking moreinformation on the Internet. Step by step you willlearn how to choose a provider, become familiarwith Internet tools and how to search for chosentopics.Location: Burnside Gorge Cyber Station(3130 Jutland Rd.)Wed May 21 6:30-9:30pm 1/$40

Computer Classes

Sometimes great courses have to be

cancelled if everyone waitsuntil the last minute

to register....Please register at least

one week in advance to avoid disappointment.

Mosaic Pots and PlantersInstructor: Lori NeelyFrom mortar and nippers to grout, everything you need to know to complete a mosaic garden planter.The pot is 6” tall. All materials are included. Please bring a hammer and old pillowcase. Courseincludes both May 20th and 22nd class times.Location: Burnside Gorge Child Care Centre(3130 Jutland Rd.)Tue May 20 6:30-9:30pm AND Thu May 22 6:30-8:00pm 2/$58

Cock-A-Doodle Design ScrapbookingThere's a new scrapbooking product in town! Cock-A-Doodle design is a scrapbooking product linethat is easy to use and has fun and creative ideas! Join scrapbooking design consultant, Joanna May,in a 2 hour session on creating a personalized "Spring" 2 page layout. Each participant will receivetheir own design package along with use of the instructors embellishments. Please bring 6-8 pictureswith a spring theme in mind. Whether you've never scrapbooked before or are looking for new ideas,this class is for you.Location: Burnside Gorge Community Centre(484 Cecelia Rd.)Tue May 19 7-9pm 1/$25

Creative Arts

May 2003

For more information on these or any other programs, please callthe Burnside Gorge Community Centre at 388-5251.