GOOD MORNING NANAIMO– The Vancouver Island Symphony is known for its innovative fund raising events, and their latest one will surely bring home the bacon.
That’s actually the name of the event “The Bacon
Bevy Bash” which combines it with the Island’s craft brewers, cideries, wineries and distilleries for an evening of bacon-inspired fine fare from finger foods and salads to main courses and desserts. It all happens this Friday so you don’t
have a lot of time to make up your mind. Teri Smith of Pacific Island Entertainment came up with the idea for Nanaimo’s first bacon bash while at an event in the Okanagan in last summer hosted by a college’s culinary department. Tickets are $52,
with a limit of 350 available online only until noon Friday. Beverage taster tickets are $2 each throughout the evening. For tickets go to https://baconbevybash.com/
B.C. FERRIES is upgrading its fleet and wants to hear people’s thoughts and their ideas about how to improve the travelling experience. Public engagement is under way as part of a project to replace four
existing vessels with up to five new ones. The new vessels will service routes between Vancouver Island and Vancouver, replacing the Queen of Cowichan, Queen of Alberni, Queen of Coquitlam and Queen of New Westminster. “There is still a lot to be decided
as we work to keep fares affordable, reduce our environmental impact, plan for future flexibility and enhance the onboard experience for customers,” CEO Mark Collins. MORE
TIME FOR CHANGE – Now that we’ve adopted Pacific daylight time for the spring and summer, it may become permanent. Premier
John Horgan is looking at making daylight saving time a year-round system. He has written to the governors of California, Oregon and Washington, where state legislators are all considering bills that would seek an exemption from U.S. federal law so they can
opt out of turning the clocks back an hour each fall and then ahead in the spring. Horgan said the seasonal time change is the number one issue he is contacted about. Horgan said if there is a policy change it has to be done in all four jurisdictions. MORE
IRISH STEW – Lantzvillle Legion is celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with a dinner and dance Saturday night at the branch. Featured fare on the menu is Irish stew,
what else? It starts at 6 p.m. with cocktails and the dinner at 6:30. And if you fancy a little more, there’s music and dancing. Tickets, at 30 bucks, are available at the bar. You can call 250-390-2108 to reserve.
HONOUR FOR TOMMY - Former Nanaimo member of Parliament Tommy Douglas is being permanently recognized as a person of national historic significance. Aside from his service here, he
was the CCF premier of Saskatchewan and former leader of the federal NDP. He is also known as the father of medicare. A plaque was unveiled in Regina dedicated to Tommy. "He was involved in so many public policy issues that truly made a difference in people's
lives," Regina MP Ralph Goodale said. MORE
DON’T WAIT TOO LONG – If you have not opted out of the new speculation and vacancy tax you could wind up paying a heft extra
tab on your property tax. The deadline for doing the paper work is March 31. About 99 per cent of British Columbians can be exempt from the tax but only if file their declaration before the end of the month. And it’s easy, you can do it by phone or online
with the information you got in the mail last month. If there are more than one registered owner, each of them has to make the declaration.
MORE OPTIONS –
Homeless people in the city now have more options on where to lay their heads at night. The city has changed the rules on overnight shelters, allowing camping in T Beban Park, Bowen Park and Colliery Dam Park because they are “broader parks that can
balance the rights of all members of the community for usage and access.” Still of limites are Maffeo Sutton Park, Georgia Park, McGregor Park, Kinsmen Park, Queen Elizabeth II Promenade, the Departure Bay seawall and city hall and surrounding property. MORE
CUT THE MUSIC –
Here’s something for fans of a cappella entertainment. Nanaimo’s Tidesmen Chorus opens the show at the Port Theatre tonight at 7 p.m. The evening’s show is the inaugural SING! BC featuring award winning Countermeasure performing Cole Porter
to Britney Spears to original songs. Countermeasure features 13 of Canada’s top vocal talents, performing innovative arrangements of pop favourites, classic jazz standards, and original songs. Their diverse songbook has equipped the group to headline
international choral concerts, play the main stage at jazz festivals, entice club-goers onto the dance floor. Tickets are $28 to $32, with students at $10.