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• Comox Valley June 2014

As the Comox Valley rapidly approaches summer there is lots to do to be entertained and kept busy. The arts festival just wrapped up in Courtenay from the 4th to 7th of June with over 15 venues and 200 artists participating. Today, the Comox Valley Concert Band appears at Comox Marina Park.

Next week Cumberland is host to the 29th Miners Memorial Weekend (June 12-14) for an annual commemoration of fallen workers. Next Friday, yes the 13th, the 7th Annual BC Boomers Legacy 240km Ride starts at 8am at the main gate of Canadian Forces Based Comox and it runs to Victoria over that weekend. The Comox Valley Shellfish Festival also begins on Friday the 13th.

On Saturday the 14th, why not head out to the Comox Valley Farmers Market starting at 9am? Ladies if golf is more your inclination try out the Thrifty’s Foods 41st Annual Ladies Open Golf Tournament at the Glacier Greens Gold Course. After, why not head out to Cumberland for the Miners Memorial Music starting at 6pm at the Cumberland Hotel? If you prefer something faster, why not head out to Saratoga Speedway at 7pm for the Drag Racing Test & Tune? On Fathers Day, Sunday the 15th there is a kite fly at Goose Spit starting at noon. For this years Fathers Day I am heading down to Qualicum Beach for the 21st Seaside Cruizers Show an Shine Car Show. While there, we plan to take in some of the 50s and 60s music that will be part of the town’s event.

National Aboriginal Day is celebrated the following Saturday (June 21) at 12pm and it hosted by the Komoks First Nation here in the valley. The event will take place in Courtenay at the Big House hall and grounds. That night the Sid Williams Theatre presents the comedy of Nikki Payne and the Simms Summer Concert Series continues the following night at Simms Millenium Park.

At the end of the month, members of the Komoks First Nation will leave along with over 100 canoes from all over the coast to Bella Bella for the Qatuwas “Peaople Gathering Together” Festival.

Of course, there are many other things to do on a regular basis in the valley. Golf, whale watching, fishing, white water rafting, wildlife tours, mini golf, rock climbing are among them. Come out to visit the Comox Valley and if you decide to relocate here contact Brett for help finding your new home.

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• What is Happening in the Comox Valley?

Summer Events in the Comox Valley

The Comox Valley is increasingly seeing visitors come for a visit and then decide to relocate here to enjoy the superb quality of life. So what is happening in the Comox Valley as we rapidly approach summer 2014? Here are a few of the things to keep you occupied and interested.

The Courtenay outdoor pool opened on the 2nd of June. Kids and adults have been learning how to swim there since 1949. Yes, the pool is heated and it is heated by solar power. This pool is a 30 metre pool that offers public swimming, swimming lessons, and aquacise classes. Right next door is the ever popular wading pool and water park. Call 250-338-5371 for more information.

What is happening in Courtenay to keep young tots interested in sports? Activities include learning how to play soccer at Lewis Park, the Kinder Gym in the Lewis Centre Gym, various sports activities and a splash in the wading pool at the Lewis Centre MP Hall, dance at the Lewis Centre Activity Room, a horse and pony camp, and yes, babysitter lessons for those between 11 and 16. For those who are 11-16, there are many different activities ranging from track and field camps to arts and crafts lessons. Call the Lewis Centre at 250-338-5371 for more information.

If your kids want something outdoors, Courtenay Recreation offers sailing lessons, adventure camps, and even basic firefighting for a day. For adults, there are arts and crafts, sports (such as basketball and archery, fitness activities such as yoga, and .Golf lessons are available and so are sailing, paddling and kyak lessons. Fitness lessons include cardio classes, strength training and yoga. Give the new Wellness Centre a call at 250-338-1000 for more information. The Lewis Centre also has squash courts for those who want more rigorous activities. Lawn bowling is also available if your choice of activity includes something at a bit slower pace.

The City of Courtenay offers a summer concert series at Simms Park starting June 29th and ending on August 31st. Looking to enjoy contemporary music, theatre, comedy or dance performances? Contact the Sid Williams theatre at 250-338-2430. Want to visit the Courtenay Museum and Paleontology Centre? Contact them at 250-334-0686. How about an Art Gallery? Contact them at 250-338-6211. If you are looking for something out of the ordinary, how about joining Comox Recreation in Marina Park on August the 3rd for Dragon Boat races as part of the annual Nautical Days? Comox Recreation offers much more to keep you fit (like Zumba) and entertained. Contact them at 250-339-2255.

If you enjoy parks, try out the Filberg Park, Kin Beach Park, Marina Park, Anderton Park, Goose Spit, Kye Bay or some of the other local parks our valley has to offer. The Aquatic Centre on Lerwick Road has a 25 metre pool, leisure pool and water slides (250-334-2527). The Sports Centre on Vanier Drive offers a 25 metre pool, wellness centre, and two ice arenas.

These are but a few of the things happening this summer. Come try them out. If you are visiting and decide to relocate here contact Brett to help you find your new home in the Comox Valley.

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• West Coast Fishing

The Labour Day long weekend has now passed, and once again I was reminded why I enjoy living in the Comox Valley. I took a few days off from Comox Valley real estate and joined my fishing buddies on Friday night, and we left for Tahsis to fish the West Coast of Vancouver Island in British Columbia.

Early Saturday morning, we left the dock shortly after sunrise and enjoyed the 45 minute boat run out to the fishing grounds. On the way out we watched salmon jumping, seals swimming around enjoying the beautiful sunny day, and sea lions feeding on salmon. We also enjoyed breathing the clean, fresh, Pacific air and looking at the spectacular scenery. The real estate out here rivals that of the Comox Valley.

Shortly after arriving at our first fishing spot we were battling a bright Coho salmon that later weighed in around 12 pounds. The scream of the reel, as the fish made several runs, was a familiar sound. Shortly thereafter, another fishing rod tip was reacting to a salmon strike and the fight was on. A second salmon was boated, and it was followed shortly after by a ling cod and a red snapper.

More salmon, ling cod, and red snapper followed. After a short while, we decided to go fishing for halibut. As the day progressed we continued to enjoy light winds, bright sunshine, and comfortably warm temperatures – perfect fishing conditions.

In the early afternoon, we heard a familiar sound. We looked behind us to see a large whale surfacing and diving. No matter how many times you see such a sight, you still enjoy seeing this mammal traveling in the West Coast waters.

After fishing off of the coast we decided to move to inside waters where we could fish for salmon in shallower water. While we were fishing, there were many other boaters enjoying the day around us. While most of the boats were of the powered variety, there was also a group of kayaks that gently paddled by us. They were taking photos of the scenery and wildlife, and one of them was casting a line out, presumably fishing for salmon as well. Not much time to think of Comox Valley homes or real estate clients with this type of scenery.

After a full day of fishing we traveled back to the dock to tie up and clean our fish. Afterwords, we enjoyed a snack and a drink at the marina’s floating restaurant. A nice way to cap off a great day on the water. We stayed on the property that evening and enjoyed a great meal and sunset.

We fished another day and enjoyed fishing in several different locations. The weather remained good until later in the afternoon when a fog bank rolled in off of the coast. We adapted, and moved to inshore waters to fish where the conditions remained good.

Our two fishing days passed quickly. Monday morning we headed back home through the back country and spectacular scenery we had enjoyed on the way out to Tahsis. Several hours later we were home packaging and freezing our catch.

This past weekend gave us more great fishing memories to store for later discussion at a social gathering. We now look forward to the next time we can head out in the boat and enjoy the best of what Vancouver Island has to offer. What a great life out here on the West Coast! A nice break before returning to my life as a Comox Valley realtor.

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• Comox Valley Gratitude

I was away from  the Comox Valley on an advanced real estate marketing course in Vancouver last week and one of the topics covered was the use of social media for real estate marketing and advertizing. As a Comox Valley realtor I was able to apply what I learned almost immediately to market Comox Valley homes for sale. The course included some time dedicated to building a real estate business. One of the points made was to highlight the difference between selling homes and marketing homes. Real estate brand names were mentioned and strategies discussed. Direct and indirect response real estate marketing was also discussed.

Real estate is more than the realtor occupation. It involves elements tied to the Comox Valley community, to social networks, and there are physical, family, mental and financial challenges to establishing and successfully maintaining a real estate business.

How can the internet be used to help a Comox Valley home seller get the exposure needed to sell their home? How can social media be used to connect to potential Comox Valley home buyers? How can some print media be used to attract Comox Valley property buyers? What role does the Comox Valley realty office play in helping? How can your professional connections be employed to connect potential home buyers and sellers of oceanfront and oceanview homes and other types of real estate? These were but a few of the real estate discussions.

Near the end of the course was a Gratitude Exercise. This topic was both timely (just before our Canadian Thanksgiving) and appropriate (my wife and I were visiting our daughter, son-in-law and first grandson while I attended the course). While visiting, we remarked just how lucky we were to be grandparents of such a terrific grandson who is loved immensely by his parents.

The Gratitude exercise asked us the following questions:
What am I grateful for in my life?
What am I proud of in my life?
What am I happy about in my life?
What am I committed to in my life?
Who loves me?
Who do I love?
What can I do to make a difference in someone’s life today?

In each case my answers focused on my family, pets and friends. Perhaps this is because of my upbringing. My parents used to tell me “It is not what you do in life that is important, but who you are in life and how you treat other people”. This is what is truly important in life, and it is for what you will be remembered.

To test this on yourself, write down the names of the last five Nobel Prize winners. What are the names of the last five Oscar winners? Who are the five most wealthy people in the world? Do you know who all of them are? In contrast, do you remember the name of the person who did you the most recent kindness? What were the names of people who made a difference in your life and development as a person? The same can be said for Comox Valley real estate. It is easy to remember the great people I work with and easy to forgot those on the other end of the spectrum.

After more than 35 years life experience as a professional I can certainly agree with what my parents instilled in me. While I have accomplished many things in life as a professional, nothing has made me happier and more content than what I have done for other people, and the love that I have received from my family. As a Comox Valley realtor I enjoy what I do but it pales in comparison to the love of family.

I recall one young man trying out for a baseball team that I coached years ago. He was only 17 at the time and he had no parents (one left when he was young and the other passed away). His 18 year-old sister had custody of him. As he came to tryouts, his raw athletic ability was obvious to me. What concerned me was his grades in school (bordering on failing) and his lack of passion for life. He did not have a job from which to make spending money and his future seemed dim.

I got together with the other coaches and we agreed that we would arrange to find a part time job for him. We also agreed to develop his ability on the team. Without going into all of the subsequent details, he made the team and the following year his grades had risen significantly. He went on to be offered, and accept, a college baseball scholarship. It was a great feeling to know that I had a small part to play in his development and subsequent success.

A second young man trying out for the team had ADD. He was effectively written off by the coach of the varsity team (I coached the junior varsity team at the time) for lack of talent as a pitcher. I disagreed and worked with the young man during the entire off season. We worked on his focus and his mechanics. His fastball went from a low 60 mile per hour fastball to one in the mid 80s by the following spring. Nobody previously had taken enough interest in him to show him how to improve his mechanics. A year after I left the area (offered and accepted a new job in a new location) I heard that he not only made the varsity team, but he was one of their best pitchers. He is now a successful working professional. Once again, it was a great feeling to know that I had a part to play in helping someone develop into the person he is today.

In life, it is often the little things that can make such a difference. As I have heard many times before, when you take care of the little things, the big things take care of themselves. While it took me longer to learn, I now know that if you are thinking of someone, tell them. If you love someone, remind them. Don’t assume that they know just because you do things for them. I have a lot to be thankful for in life and this long weekend is a great opportunity to reflect on all of this. I have a wife of more than 30 years who is my rock. I have two loving and tremendously talented and successful daughters, a tremendous son-in-law, and I suspect that I will soon have a second. I also have a grandson who brings me great joy. Happy thanksgiving Canada, and wishing that you have as much to be grateful for as I do.

This course was in addition to learning about the latest Comox Valley real estate marketing methods that are used successfully throughout North America. As a realtor it is important to employ traditional real estate marketing that still works as well as the newer leading edge methods that realize success for Crown Isle real estate listings to those in other parts of the valley. These advanced methods work equally well for high end Comox Valley properties as well as those in the heart of the Comox Valley real estate market. Some of the methods learned applied to how to best employ online real estate marketing methods to realize a much higher level of success than what can be achieved through traditional real estate ads in Comox Valley print media.
by Brett Cairns

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• Why the Comox Valley in February?

What is the Comox Valley like in February? As I was driving around on bare roads yesterday while enjoying a bit of sun, I remembered just how much I did not like shoveling snow or driving in it. For most of Canada, the middle of February means snow, frigid temperatures, and having to bundle up to go outside. In the parts of Canada with snow, many highways are covered in salt and weekly drives to a local car wash are required to avoid premature rust out of one’s vehicle. When snow storms hit like they did to Eastern Canada last Friday, it also means treacherous driving on snow and ice covered roads and cancelled flights and travel plans to warmer destinations. Not so in our Comox Valley communities.

Today, the 11^th of February, is BC Family Day. For the Comox Valley it is forecast to be a high of 7 degrees Celsius (45 degrees Fahrenheit to those of us who prefer a bit more precision) and cloudy. Light jackets are needed for anyone planning a daily walk around their neighbourhood. Across the street I can see golfers on the 3^rd tee box. There is no snow other than that which can be found covering the ski hill at Mount Washington. The mountain has a 334 cm base with ideal powder and soft packed conditions. For British Columbia Family Day (11 Feb 13) weekend, the forecast is a mix of sun and cloud and an alpine temperature of -4C. As well, there are some great Crown Isle homes for sale near the golf course.

This coming week, there will be a live concert and dance by Steve Elliot who will be presenting his Elvis Elite show – a tribute to Elvis Presley and others like Roy Orbison, Louis Armstrong, Nat King Cole and others. The next day, the Chinese Lunar New Year will be celebrated in downtown Courtenay. This event will feature a walking parade followed by a multicultural fashion show, international food, and live entertainment at the Native Sons Hall.

The following week, the Courtenay and District Fish & Game Protective Association will hold its annual banquet fundraiser at the Florence Filberg Centre. The event will feature a wild game dinner catered by Tria Fine Catering and a dance to the music of “Richard for Heyer”. There will be door prizes, auctions and raffles for prizes. The association will hold its 21^st Annual Outdoor Show a few months from now on the 1^st and 2^nd of June 2013.

Growing season kicks off in the Comox Valley a week later. Yes, it is nearly that time again. We start planting trees, flowers, and other plants while much of the rest of Canada is digging out from the latest snow storm. For those of you who do not live year, maybe you are getting a bit jealous (or even a teeny bit angry!) but it is what it is. This season begins with an event at the Florence Filberg Centre. Exhibits will include booths from our local farms, nurseries, permaculture, landscapers, seed companies, and miscellaneous vendors.

It will not be too long from now until we get things ready for the boating season. The Vancouver Boat Show is being held this weekend at BC Place and Granville Island. The outdoor adventure and travel show takes place in about three weeks at the Vancouver Convention Centre. Locally, the water is calm and the winds are light. As well, the fishing forecast is bright. Soon we will start to see boats being towed to the Comox boat launch on a more regular basis. There are few things as calming and serene as floating around the Georgia Strait on a sunny calm day. Also increasing in frequency will be the walkers, bicyclists and other outdoor enthusiasts enjoying what they enjoy best in this land of much to do.

While many people enjoy the year round activities offered by the Comox Valley, others prefer to take a break out of the area and visit warmer regions like Hawaii. Yes, temperatures hovering around 40-45 degrees F (6-7C) locally in the winter can be considered “harsh” by locals so they think of warmer areas. Hawaii can be accessed via the Comox Valley airport through Vancouver. Leave our airport and less than a normal workday later and you can find yourself on a warm sandy beach thousands of miles away. Yes, there is a lot to do in the Valley year round. But, if you need a break, or want to see something completely different, the rest of the world can be accessed through our local airport.

Need more information on the Comox Valley, relocating here, or our real estate market? Contact Brett Cairns of RE/MAX Ocean Pacific Realty for info on all varieties and types of homes listings.

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• Why a Comox Valley Thank You?

A Comox Valley Thank You

Many people in the Comox Valley enrich our lives, and make them safer and more secure on a daily basis. But how often do we thank them? Especially the volunteers? Having worked alongside many Canadians and Americans who were never personally thanked for the sacrifices they made while responding to the 9/11 tragedy, I understand how important a simple thank you can be.
 
Our Comox Valley police officers often respond to many different kinds of incidents that we either do not hear about or are not aware of. Under the Police Act, police in British Columbia maintain law and order, enforce the law and they prevent crime. Within British Columbia, the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General has overall responsibility for public safety and the protection of our citizens. In our area, our RCMP municipal detachment is charged with these responsibilities. Police officers are often called to respond to a variety of different situations, some of which can get dangerous and ugly. Domestic disputes, drug busts, and other crime are among them. They can get the call anytime day or night, be asked to work overtime, or get called away to another area to meet the needs of the situation at hand. The types of jobs that they do are often thankless. In addition, they are subject to inspections, evaluations, reviews, and a code of professional conduct regulation (on and off duty) on an ongoing basis. My brother was a police officer for many years and my son-in-law still is so I have a good appreciation of what they go through and deal with on a regular basis.
 
Our CFB Comox military personnel conduct a variety of operations on a daily and routine basis. Some of these operations place their lives at risk. The National Defence Act establishes the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces, both of which are responsible to the Federal Minister of National Defence. Military personnel are subject to inspections, evaluations, reviews, the special powers of command, the Law of Armed Conflict, a military justice system (in addition to all of the other laws in Canada), and codes of values and ethics and conduct. These personnel can be assigned to operations that range from those conducted in peacetime through wartime. Military personnel, in addition to conducting their regular operations and readiness training in Canada, may be called upon to assist during a major disaster, support the operations of other government departments, and to participate in operations around the globe – often on short notice.
 
Locally, military Search and Rescue personnel are on call 24 hours a day and 365 days a year to respond to incidents and accidents over Comox Valley land and water. The Royal Canadian Marine Search & Rescue is a volunteer organization that is part of the Canadian Search and Rescue system. Station 60 is located here in Comox. The Comox Valley Ground Search & Rescue unit is a volunteer organization that responds to requests made by the RCMP to provide assistance in search and rescue operations (such as avalanche or swift water rescue) or civil disasters. The Courtenay (Rescue Unit 71), Comox (Rescue Unit 36), and Cumberland (Rescue Vehicle Unit 4 and Rescue Boat Unit 8) Fire Departments respond to fires and a wide variety of accidents and incidents. These Fire Rescue Units are trained and certified to provide a wide variety of preventative, emergency preparedness, and emergency response services to the Comox Valley. They are populated by a combination of full-time, paid-on-call, and volunteer personnel.
 
Doctors, nurses, paramedics, our ambulance services, and a variety of other Comox Valley health care professionals provide us with many services on a daily basis. Many of these people are on call to respond to emergencies, and they can work long hours to attend to our various needs. My middle brother served as a paramedic for more than 20 years and my youngest daughter is a doctor so I have a very good appreciation of some of the sacrifices they make in order to provide us with the services that we need and rely upon. they are seldom featured in the newspaper for the work that they do for us.
 
Besides these people, there are many Comox Valley volunteers in our community who help, and who enrich the lives of others. Whether they volunteer at the food bank, a local soup kitchen, assisting our elderly, or coaching our young children, they all spend time, money and effort providing services to others.
 
As Good Friday approaches, we are reminded of the ultimate sacrifice. There is nothing in this material world more significant than people who make sacrifices for the good of others or while in the service of others. Selflessness (the act of sacrificing one’s own interest for the greater good) is one of the best elements of our society. It is too bad that most news outlets choose to report the bad over the good on many occasions as a means of selling their product. When people help others for the right reasons, our lives and society are richer because of their sacrifices. Now that spring has arrived and summer is fast approaching, it is appropriate to think of and to thank all of those people who enrich our lives, and make them safer, and more secure.
 
To all of the Comox Valley 1^st responders, emergency preparedness and other response personnel, and to all of the volunteers in the Comox Valley – THANK YOU for your contributions and for your ongoing services to our community and society.