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Recent articles, comments & listings
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The Avenue Gallery – Feature Artist – Jo Ludwig
untilJo Ludwig’s unique works of art are created in a two-stage process of fusing multiple layers of glass then slumping them in a glass kiln. The assembled layers are placed in a glass kiln and heated until they fuse into a single piece of glass. After many finishing steps they are complete. The top layer of dichroic glass gives a brilliance to these small sculptures that dazzles all that behold them. The Avenue Gallery 2184 Oak Bay Avenue Monday - Saturday: 10am - 5pm, Sunday 11am - 4:30pm -
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The Great Tree Robbery
Speaking of grade 4 logs, there's no mention of truck loads going to the drying kiln prior to being scaled to ensure that defects become evident. That practice was taking place in Burns Lake. In another part of the province, MPB licenses included a 'halo' clause where a the licensee could harvest up to 50 m outside of the block boundary to remove 'danger trees' and/or brood trees. This practice created complications on many levels, not to mention the unaccounted harvest of grade 4. -
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Drive My Car
untilJapan’s Selection for the Academy Awards Yusuke Kafuku (Hidetoshi Nishijima), a stage actor and director is happily married to Oto (Reika Kirishima), a screenwriter. However, Oto suddenly dies after leaving behind a secret. Two years later, Kafuku, still unable to fully cope with the loss of his wife, receives an offer to direct a play at a theater festival and drives to Hiroshima with his car. There, he meets Misaki (Toko Miura), a reticent woman assigned to become his chauffeur. As they spend time together, Kafuku confronts the mystery of his wife that quietly haunts him. -
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The Great Tree Robbery
It seems to me this vindicates the US lumber coalition's claim that BC subsidizes softwood lumber production. I believe Canfor alone has over $500million on deposit with the US government for duties. Maybe if Canfor had to forfeit that money they would smarten up? -
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The Great Tree Robbery
Great story Ben! It's weird that all the ministry has is a paper record. By 2006 they had the Harvest Billing System, which was completely digital from the start. I doubt the ministry has any useful record on the bonus logging at all. Or, if there was, it has been pelletized rather than digitized. To give folks a feel for the primary forests these companies are cutting for pellets, Conservation North released a dramatic video today: -
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The Great Tree Robbery
Thank you Ben for an excellent analysis! Thank goodness for good investigative journalists, like yourself, and organizations that truly represent the public interest, like the CCPA. In the absence of open, transparent, and inclusive governance, log "credits" and other policies that fuel the horrific mismanagement of public forests would go unnoticed. We should also pay attention to the fact that the mismanagement you describe has been proffered by forest professionals, allegedly charged with protection of the public interest. The negligence and deceit by today's chief forester in supporting and rationalizing the "credits" scheme is clearly outside the bounds of professional ethics, let alone science and common sense. Sadly, we have become accustomed to the willingness of government to sanction (quietly) these kinds of corporate friendly, disingenuous policies and activities. Fall down has been happening for at least 20 years, as government and timber companies, aided and abetted by forest professionals in their employ have overestimated a sustainable rate of cut and focused on progressive high-grading of remaining old-growth and other primary forests. Perverse subsidies like the "log credit" program only postpone the inevitable. The only winners in this Ponzi scheme are corporate timber companies, who are collecting the last of the gold from BC's forests on their way out the door to fast-growing tree plantations elsewhere. Along with all British Columbians, the biggest loser is the forest, which is rapidly losing its ecological integrity and resilience. Benefits from the forest that we depend upon, from clean air, pure water in adequate quantities throughout the year, biodiversity, climate moderation through carbon sequestration and storage, and more are all threatened as forests are wantonly degraded in the growing ruse of sustainable forestry in BC. One of the more curious responses Ben received was it would be difficult to calculate the actual volume of log credits granted, because they are paper records. Any one ever heard of making a table and adding up columns with an adding machine or calculator? -
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Dispatches from the frontlines of Fairy Creek Rainforest defence
ELDERS FROM VANCOUVER ISLAND AND GULF ISLANDS ARRESTED AT FAIRY CREEK Ada’itsx (Fairy Creek), December 2, 2021: Today at 6:00 a.m, approximately 30 elders from the Comox Valley, Pender Island, Victoria and Duncan arrived at Granite Main Road at Fairy Creek. Their aim was to stop industry vehicles from entering the area to continue clearcutting old growth forests and to stop Teal Jones’ new road building activities. Arrests of 10 elders and two land defenders began shortly after 7:45 a.m. The RCMP began by arresting elders who lay on the ground to prevent industry vehicles from entering. They are passionate about stopping clearcutting of ancient forests and want the government to protect the more than 14 at-risk species that have been found at Heli camp (cutblock 8022) in tree farm license #46. “We must save these ancient forest ecosystems. They are some of the best natural carbon stores on the planet,” says 69-year-old Jay, one of the organizers of today’s protest. “The recent heat domes and atmospheric rivers are only symptoms of the climate system out of balance. I want a world where my children and grandchildren can live and thrive in nature!” The RCMP allowed two industry vehicles to enter Granite Main Road some of which may be road building to give access to even more intact old growth forests. As elders lay on the ground, several land defenders from camp lined up at the gate to block the vehicles. Ten elders were arrested and it was reported that two land defenders were also arrested who were standing on the road, outside of the exclusion zone. All arrests were peaceful. At approximately 9 a.m. arrestees were taken to the gravel pit for further processing. Elders have visited Fairy Creek many times yet this is the first time that the group of elders was primarily from up-island and the Gulf Islands. They call on the government to immediately implement a halt to old growth logging in BC. Some of the reasons they feel passionate about making an effort to stop the logging of all ancient forests: -
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The Great Tree Robbery
Disgraceful. Unbelievable. And to think of the carbon subsidy in addition to this double-dipping is mind-boggling! The government dealt with the scandal of a wood-splitter at the legislature; let's see if it deals with this scandal at the forests ministry. I will be watching to see things change for the better. -
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Julia
untilJULIA brings to life the legendary cookbook author and television superstar who changed the way Americans think about food, television, and even about women. Using never-before-seen archival footage, personal photos, first-person narratives, and cutting-edge, mouth-watering food cinematography, the film traces Julia Child’s 12 year struggle to create and publish the revolutionary Mastering the Art of French Cooking (1961) which has sold more than 2.5 million copies to date, and her rapid ascent to become the country’s most unlikely television star. It’s the empowering story of a woman who found her purpose – and her fame – at 50, and took America along on the whole delicious journey. Film shown on December 3rd (5:15 to 6:50 pm), 4th (7:45-9:20 pm), 6th (5:15 to 6:50 pm), and 8th (5:15 to 6:50 pm). -
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The Great Tree Robbery
With a technical threshold of 3% dead pine to warrant a cutting permit, the Mackenzie TSA saw over a million meters of live trees taken with these 3% dead pine stands. With the the bc government setting ridiculously low standards to allow high grading stands and no ability to rein in business as they abused the landscape and hidden subsidies, many mills were purchased in the US with the profits. BC has lost out so why aren't the biggest abusers of these activities in court being sued? Perhaps its because business understands that government doesn't really care or have tools to do a single thing about it. The saddest part of the story as salvage of dead timber puts tree tops on the ground and carpets the open dry stands with fuel. Lightning finds it and driven by wind burns 1-2 million hectares a year now. Extreme rain events are not being absorbed at all across BC because burned earth is hydrophobic so expect increases in floods in our future. Oh well, at least forest companies have profitable US mills now. -
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New Beginnings - New Works (opening night)
untilAs we embark on another trip around the sun, we are all wishing for a better trip than the last one, but in those times of strain and stress, magical things did happen. We looked within and without, to brave new directions and new ideas. We approach things in a different manner, hoping for positive outcomes. Looking down the whirlwind eye of another year, there is the tangible feeling of starting fresh with a new beginning. Work will include a wide variety of 2D and 3D works, spanning narratives of place and time. @ Xchanges Gallery -
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New Beginnings - New Works (opening night)
untilAs we embark on another trip around the sun, we are all wishing for a better trip than the last one, but in those times of strain and stress, magical things did happen. We looked within and without, to brave new directions and new ideas. We approach things in a different manner, hoping for positive outcomes. Looking down the whirlwind eye of another year, there is the tangible feeling of starting fresh with a new beginning. Work will include a wide variety of 2D and 3D works, spanning narratives of place and time. @ Xchanges Gallery -
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Anti Christmas – Die Hard
untilIt’s Christmas Eve In L.A. And The Party Action’s About To Explode… On The Fortieth Floor! New York cop John McClane flies to Los Angeles on Christmas eve to spend the holidays with his family. He arrives at the Nakatomi corp. building for his wife’s office party. International terrorists take over the building and hold every one as hostage to steal $600 million of bonds from the vaults of the building. Now its up to McCLane to face the terrorists and save his wife and the other hostages. https://www.victoriafilmfestival.com/product/anti-christmas-die-hard/ -
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Anti Christmas – Hot Fuzz
untilThey’re bad boys. They’re die hards. They’re lethal weapons. They are… Hot Fuzz. Top London cop PC Nicholas Angel is good. Too good. To stop the rest of his team looking bad, he is reassigned to the quiet town of Sandford. He is paired with Danny Butterman, who endlessly questions him on the action lifestyle. Everything seems quiet for Angel until two actors are found decapitated. It is called an accident, but Angel won’t accept that, especially when more and more people turn up dead. Angel and Danny clash with everyone while they try to uncover the truth behind the mystery of the apparent “accidents”. https://www.victoriafilmfestival.com/product/anti-christmas-hot-fuzz/ -
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Investment, not conservation, threatens forestry workers
Over a decade ago my now wife and I were headed south on the Cassiar Hwy as the Right-of-Way was being cleared for BC's Northern Transmission Line. Somewhere south of Iskut we stopped in thick groves of Coastal forest just like those found much farther South. Amid the 100m wide clear cut ribbons were huge, and I mean huge, 50-plus meter long, 1.5-2.5m butt diameter, straight as arrow trees stacked like tents by enormous 40 tonne excavators. They were burn piles! We were told by the contractors that because of the distance and size of these trees that those "efficient" mills inland and further south couldn't handle that kind of timber and that the decision had been made to burn those giants with all the rest. I guess when industry specializes and invests to such a narrow degree and those that were formerly regulators capitulate time and time again common sense gets lost. Pretty soon there are great piles of heaped biomass ready for burning, a "state of the art" mill run by robots and trailer park boys and leagues of golfers thousands of miles South collecting dividend cheques more concerned with Terrorists, or Covid or their Cosco membership renewal. -
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Anti Christmas – Batman Returns
untilThe Bat, the Cat, the Penguin In the sewers of Gotham City to the rooftops of the Gotham City the penguin wants to know where he came from well in his villain ways catwoman plans to kill rich man of gotham max shreak but as he battles with millionaire Bruce Wayne both ladies men have their own secrets Bruce Wayne is back as Bat man trying to stop the penguin Max is helping penguin steal gotham city while selina Kyle/catwoman tries to help penguin not knowing her man murder target also her murder is helping him but all four men have their goals taking gotham from crime winning Gotham City assassination for two men and more money to be Gotham Citys number one rich man. $10.00 -
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Anti Christmas – Gremlins
untilWhat you see… isn’t always what you get. Minature green monsters tear through the small town of Kingston Falls. Hijinks ensue as a mild-mannered bank teller releases these hideous loonies after gaining a new pet and violating two of three simple rules: No water (violated), no food after midnight (violated), and no bright light. Hilarious mayhem and destruction in a town straight out of Norman Rockwell. So, when your washing machine blows up or your TV goes on the fritz, before you call the repair man, turn on all the lights and look under all the beds. ‘Cause you never can tell, there just might be a gremlin in your house. https://www.victoriafilmfestival.com/product/anti-christmas-gremlins/ -
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The Big Lebowski Event at The Vic
untilThe Vic Theatre are partnering with Goldstream Distillery to present the iconic cult classic, The Big Lebowski, on Friday, December 10. Tickets are $20 and include: White Russian cocktail, courtesy of Goldstream Distillery Tasting of Goldstream Distillery’s spirits samples The Big Lebowski-themed costume contest where the winner receives a special prize from Goldstream Distillery Screening of The Big Lebowski Schedule for the night: 6:45PM – Doors open 6:45-7:30PM – Cocktail at the concession bar and Goldstream Distillery samples tasting in the lobby 7:30PM – The Big Lebowski costume contest with prizes from Goldstream Distillery, followed by stand-up comedy by Bryan O’Gorman and Andrew Barr 8:00PM – Film screening Bryan O’Gorman, the internationally renowned comedian and host of the Pro Comedy Show at Hermann’s Jazz Club, will perform stand-up comedy and host the event. Comedian Andrew Barr will also perform. In January 2021, Bryan’s second album opened at number one on iTunes’ comedy charts, and his many credits include being featured on MTV, Much Music, The Comedy Network, Sirius-XM Radio, The Edinburgh Fringe Festival, The Melbourne Comedy Festival, Just for Laughs, National Lampoon Radio, the Montreaux comedy festival and the CBC. With his unique combination of grumpy and silly, Andrew has delighted audiences nation-wide with featured performances on CBC’s Laugh Out Loud, SiriusXM, The Icebreakers Comedy Festival, the YYC Comedy Festival, Montreal Sketchfest and iChannel’s No Kidding.
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By Rainforest Flying Squad · Posted
ELDERS FROM VANCOUVER ISLAND AND GULF ISLANDS ARRESTED AT FAIRY CREEK Ada’itsx (Fairy Creek), December 2, 2021: Today at 6:00 a.m, approximately 30 elders from the Comox Valley, Pender Island, Victoria and Duncan arrived at Granite Main Road at Fairy Creek. Their aim was to stop industry vehicles from entering the area to continue clearcutting old growth forests and to stop Teal Jones’ new road building activities. Arrests of 10 elders and two land defenders began shortly after 7:45 a.m. The RCMP began by arresting elders who lay on the ground to prevent industry vehicles from entering. They are passionate about stopping clearcutting of ancient forests and want the government to protect the more than 14 at-risk species that have been found at Heli camp (cutblock 8022) in tree farm license #46. “We must save these ancient forest ecosystems. They are some of the best natural carbon stores on the planet,” says 69-year-old Jay, one of the organizers of today’s protest. “The recent heat domes and atmospheric rivers are only symptoms of the climate system out of balance. I want a world where my children and grandchildren can live and thrive in nature!” The RCMP allowed two industry vehicles to enter Granite Main Road some of which may be road building to give access to even more intact old growth forests. As elders lay on the ground, several land defenders from camp lined up at the gate to block the vehicles. Ten elders were arrested and it was reported that two land defenders were also arrested who were standing on the road, outside of the exclusion zone. All arrests were peaceful. At approximately 9 a.m. arrestees were taken to the gravel pit for further processing. Elders have visited Fairy Creek many times yet this is the first time that the group of elders was primarily from up-island and the Gulf Islands. They call on the government to immediately implement a halt to old growth logging in BC. Some of the reasons they feel passionate about making an effort to stop the logging of all ancient forests:
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December 02, 2021
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