Go Nanaimo Blog

Happy New Year! May 2012 be your best year yet. I’ve been rather lax about posting on this blog recently as I’ve been away on trips to Holland, Britain, Turmenistan, Antigua, Montserrat, Bali, Timor-Leste, Turkey, and Iraq in 2011. I took the photo above in Genclik Park, Ankara, in November, 2011. My lifestyle is unlikely to change much in 2012 as I’ve already booked trips to Morocco and Uzbekistan and several more are in the pipeline. Blogging about Nanaimo events is way down my list of priorities. On the other hand, if you’d care to keep up with me on social media, I tweet as @gonanaimo and you’ll also find me on Facebook and Google Plus. Here’s hoping our paths cross in 2012, whether physically or electronically.

Becoming Santa is the story of one man entering the culture and character of Santa Claus for a single season. It’s another great film from Cinema Libre Studio.

trawler Grey Goose

A group of eight adventurers are planning a four-month voyage through the Northwest Passage from Greenland to Alaska in the summer of 2012. The 17-meter trawler Grey Goose will power out of Mobile, Alabama, in May 2012, calling at Halifax in June, a half dozen Greenland and Nunavut ports in July, and Alaska in August, before finishing at Astoria, Oregon, in mid-September.

This trip is being organized by Captain Douglas Pohl with the assistance of Admiral Michelle in the galley. BlueBelle, their 12-year-old blue-eyed rag doll cat, is going along for the ride, as are crew members Dan, Howard, Jay, Kate, and Rob. At the time of writing, one or two crew positions are still available. Says Doug, “This is not a cruise for tourists – several companies offer summer Arctic cruises – but likewise you do not need to be a professional mariner or adventurer to join us. We are all people who love cruising and boating. I am planning an epic home voyage through the Arctic to celebrate retirement after 26 years of professional maritime service as a ship’s master. This voyage will take the time to stop and enjoy bays, anchorages, villages, and wildlife along a road less traveled. It’s the prelude for a snowbird retirement – Alaska during the summer and Southern California and Mexico during the winters. Its a new chapter in our book of life for the Admiral and Captain.”

The Northwest Passage is in the process of changing forever from the polar ice field we have always known into an open water navigational shortcut between Europe and the Orient. The Grey Goose crew are all keen on experiencing “The Last Arctic Voyage” aboard a private power yacht. Doug Pohl has driven ships around the world three times. Now it’s his turn to celebrate retirement with this 10,000-nautical-mile expedition along a route that has consumed mariners for hundreds of years. Says he, “Don’t get me wrong. I’m not planning to attempt to push through pack ice but rather I am planning to anchor often and enjoy going ashore while waiting for winds to move advancing drift ice in a more favorable direction.”

Pohl estimates that food and fuel expenses will be around US$88,000 for the trip, to be divided equally between the eight persons on board. Costs could fluctuate based upon supply and demand, in which case additional contributions from the paying crew may be required as the voyage progresses. But this is not a for-profit trip and those aboard will be welcome to use their personal skills as writers, photographers, scientists, or environmentalists as they see fit. Anything is possible at this stage of planning. For more information contact Captain Douglas Pohl through the Northwest Passage Website.

UPDATE: On September 1, 2011, Douglas Pohl sent me this news: “The deadline for firm commitments to join as crew is December 1, 2011.  Without a good crew I cannot consider a 10,000 nautical-mile voyage “over the top”. Waiting until May 2012 to see if interested crew materializes is not feasible.”

Esquimalt and Nanaimo Railway

The Malahat Coalition (TMC) is a group of South Island residents and organizations promoting sustainable solutions for southern Vancouver Island, Canada. They believe that the public wants 1) safer, flexible, less costly and less polluting transportation options and 2) land use that limits the need for transportation and protects the natural environment. The coalition welcomes Premier Christy Clark’s recent announcement of $7.5 million in essential funding to ensure safe passenger travel over the Esquimalt and Nanaimo Railway (E&N).

While this investment is welcome, TMC notes that the funding is dependent upon a $500,000 bridge and trestle review and the Island Corridor Foundation (ICF) securing an additional $7.5 million in track repair funding from the federal government. Transportation investment on Vancouver Island, with its 750,000 population, pales in comparison to the billions of dollars spent on transportation infrastructure in the Lower Mainland around Vancouver.

It is estimated that complete modernization of the E&N Railway (neglected for 30 years by CP Rail) would require some $200 million. This investment, staggered over ten years, is much cheaper than building a new highway over the Malahat and a fraction of what has been lavished on the Lower Mainland. Modernization of the 125-year old Vancouver Island rail corridor from Victoria to Courtenay and Port Alberni would provide much-needed jobs and revitalization of communities along the entire line. The resultant substantial reduction of greenhouse gas emissions comes at a time when the vast majority of British Columbians are concerned about climate change and supportive of a carbon tax.

Regardless of accidents that regularly paralyze the highway, the rejuvenated rail would allow for intelligent land use design, reduction of suburban sprawl, and protection of agricultural lands. With the dependable night-time movement of freight, plus day-time service for commuters and tourists, the rail corridor would once again become the dynamic spine for sustainable growth on Vancouver Island.

TMC calls upon all Vancouver Island MPs, MLAs, mayors, and supporters of mass transit and rational land use planning to inform the British Columbia government of the essential role that a modernized E&N Railway will fulfill for the sustainable future of Vancouver Island. The coalition expects all levels of government to make a firm financial commitment to this vital island asset.

Summer and the Sinners at Summertime Blues! by Gerda Hoffman

The Nanaimo Blues Society will present Summertime Blues 2011 in Maffeo Sutton Park, Nanaimo, from August 26 to 28, 2011. The gates will open at 3 pm on Friday and at noon on Saturday and Sunday. Rain or Shine. After canceling the festival in 2010 due to funding cutbacks, this previously free event will be a paid activity in 2011. The price for a three-day event pass is $75 until June 30, 2011, then $95, plus HST. Single evening general admission will be $40. Tickets are available from Headliners School of Performing Arts, 165 Fraser St., tel. 250-753-2323.

Not only is Summertime Blues back but the Society has a fantastic line-up arranged. Starting Friday afternoon blues greats like Duke Robillard, The Downchild Blues Band, Jim Byrnes, and David Gogo will hit the festival stage to make 2011 the one to remember. Along with the exciting lineup, the Society has changed the venue. This year Maffeo Sutton Park will be used to better suit the growing festival in its sixth year. This year also, for the first time the festival will be ticketed to help offset the cost of these great performers. And last, but not least, there will be a beer garden for those who are 19 plus. An Early Bird Ticket Kickoff Event will be held at 5 pm on Friday, May 6, 2011, at Headliners with special guest performers.

From 1 to 3 pm on May 8, 2011, GP Cottonwood Stables, 3735 Jingle Pot Road, Nanaimo, will host the official book launch for The Joy of the Journey: Exploring a Deeper and More Fulfilling Partnership Through the Path of Harmonious Horsemanship by local author Jodine Carruthers. The Joy of the Journey immerses the reader into the world of horses and reminds us of the magic that first drew us to horses. This insightful and easy to read book not only encourages a deeper relationship with horses. Its simple, straight forward guidance leads us closer to truly authentic relationships, in all areas of our lives. Whether you are a novice rider or a veteran horse lover or you simply enjoy being in the presence of horses, The Joy of the Journey opens the door to a world of horsemanship that will lift your spirit and fill your heart.

GP Cottonwood Stables in Nanaimo is a full service boarding and training facility in operation since 1973. They boast an indoor arena and two resident Equine Canada certified coaches. Their training horses are suited to all levels of rider, from the very first horse experience through to competitive levels. Fun, safe learning of good horsemanship principles in a friendly environment is the foundation of their riding programs. On May 8, 2011, the stables will open their gates for an afternoon of live demonstrations, questions and answers with the author, and the opportunity to meet the horses and staff. Mini riding lesson demonstrations will be performed throughout this free event. From 2 to 3 pm there will be a horse/human communication demonstration by author Jodine Carruthers and a dressage demonstration by Cottonwood’s head coach and owner Selena Pellizzari. It’s your chance to pet, touch, and groom Cottonwood’s lesson ponies and horses. For more information about the book launch, call Jodine at 250-618-9322.

The Vancouver Island Symphony’s final concert of the 2010-2011 season will be the Water at 7:30 pm on Saturday, April 30, 2011, at the Port Theatre, 125 Front Street, Nanaimo. Guest artists are to include Jonathan Bernard (percussion), Heather Pawsey (soprano), Peter Alexander (baritone), the Vancouver Community College Willan Choir, and the Malaspina Choir, with Pierre Simard conducting. Pre and post concert talks will be provided. For tickets call 250-754-8550.

Celebrating Nanaimo’s lifestyle by the sea, Water features two very unique and magnificent compositions. The Water Concerto, with imaginative and spectacular percussion involving light and water, is by Tan Dun, one of the most important living composers on the planet. Close your eyes and you hear fish, whales, water in caves, etc. Also on the program is A Sea Symphony by Ralph Vaughan Williams, based on poems by Walt Whitman, This choral symphony will be buoyed on by the sheer power of more than 200 artists on stage.

Water is the largest production ever undertaken by the Vancouver Island Symphony. Using water as a musical instrument, percussionist Jonathan Bernard, assisted by Daniel Tones and Martin Fisk, will be creating unique, sensuous, organic, and sometimes celestial sounds and sights of water – rippling, sparkling, wet, fresh. “The Water Concerto also involves light,” says Pierre Simard, “and to create the composer’s effects, specific instruments have to be flown here from New York.”

A Sea Symphony was written in 1910, conjuring up visions of waves, rolling swells, calm and stormy seas, ships, and voyages. Pierre Simard: “Whitman was almost unknown at the time; his poetry, evocative and strong, is a direct and powerful language. Vaughan Williams’ symphony is a translation of Whitman’s language and is also considered a renaissance in combining English choral music with symphony.” There are four movements: A Song for All Seas, All Ships; On the Beach at Night, Alone; The Waves (After the Sea-Ship); and The Explorers (Passage to India). “It is such a humbling piece,” adds Simard. “I will be as much an audience member as I will be conductor.”