Columnists

Public washrooms are now open in West Kelowna. (City of West Kelowna)

QUINN’S QUIPS: When nature calls, where do you go when you’re homeless?

When you’ve gotta go, where do you go?

(Black Press Media file photo)

OPINION: Island Health doctors call on residents to ‘double down’ to slow spread of COVID-19

Positive cases increasing at a rate that causes concern for health officers

  • Nov 18, 2020
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry views the Murals of Gratitude exhibition in Vancouver’s Gastown, July 5, 2020. (The Canadian Press)

GUEST COLUMN: COVID-19 masks mandatory in B.C., but not everywhere

Orders require them where necessary, Provincial Health Officer says

  • Nov 17, 2020
The day of his re-retirement from the Jack James and crew Old-Time Logging Show june 9, 2017 at McLean Mill National Historic Site, Jack James oversees his crew. James died Nov. 1, 2020, closing the book on more than 50 years working in the woods. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

QUINN’S QUIPS: A final story for ‘boss of the woods’, Jack James

James was one of the biggest voices in coastal B.C. logging for last half-century

The day of his re-retirement from the Jack James and crew Old-Time Logging Show june 9, 2017 at McLean Mill National Historic Site, Jack James oversees his crew. James died Nov. 1, 2020, closing the book on more than 50 years working in the woods. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
Bryce Casavant of Port Alberni is a former BC NDP candidate in the 2017 provincial election<ins> and graduated with a doctorate in social sciences from Royal Roads University in 2020</ins>. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

QUINN’S QUIPS: If the NDP wins B.C.’s election, was it legal to begin with?

A policy analyst from Port Alberni says no

Bryce Casavant of Port Alberni is a former BC NDP candidate in the 2017 provincial election<ins> and graduated with a doctorate in social sciences from Royal Roads University in 2020</ins>. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)
Port Alberni’s deepsea port was a busy place on July 14, 2020, with recreational boaters vying for attention with a logging ship, fishing vessels large and small, tugboats and more. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

QUINN’S QUIPS: ‘Port’ Alberni lives up to its deepsea name

Port Alberni’s harbour is an engaging place to stop and watch the action on the water…

Port Alberni’s deepsea port was a busy place on July 14, 2020, with recreational boaters vying for attention with a logging ship, fishing vessels large and small, tugboats and more. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
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NDP candidate for North Vancouver-Lonsdale, Bowinn Ma, introduces NDP Leader John Horgan during a campaign stop at Seaspan Shipyards in North Vancouver B.C., on Friday, October 9, 2020. A provincial election will be held in British Columbia on October 24. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

QUINN’ QUIPS: Words matter: especially when running for election

How does something like this happen in 2020?

NDP candidate for North Vancouver-Lonsdale, Bowinn Ma, introduces NDP Leader John Horgan during a campaign stop at Seaspan Shipyards in North Vancouver B.C., on Friday, October 9, 2020. A provincial election will be held in British Columbia on October 24. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Work continues on the ʔapsčiik t̓ašii (pronounced ups-cheek ta-shee) trail running through Pacific Rim National Park Reserve despite a rainy September afternoon. The 25-kilometre, $51-million project was launched in 2016. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

QUINN’S QUIPS: Quay to Quay pathway concept isn’t an unreasonable one

I was impressed to see the work being done on ?apsciik tašii trail, between Ucluelet and Tofino

Work continues on the ʔapsčiik t̓ašii (pronounced ups-cheek ta-shee) trail running through Pacific Rim National Park Reserve despite a rainy September afternoon. The 25-kilometre, $51-million project was launched in 2016. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
Helma Swinkels started Pot Luck Ceramics with her friend Val Startup and a group of forward-thinking volunteers 10 years ago. She is embracing the profit-for-non-profit’s successes as she faces closing the Pot Luck cottage on Gertrude Street in Port Alberni in September 2020. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

QUINN’S QUIPS: A poignant farewell to Pot Luck Ceramics

As of Sept. 30 Pot Luck is closing its doors, a victim of COVID-19.

Helma Swinkels started Pot Luck Ceramics with her friend Val Startup and a group of forward-thinking volunteers 10 years ago. She is embracing the profit-for-non-profit’s successes as she faces closing the Pot Luck cottage on Gertrude Street in Port Alberni in September 2020. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
Alberni Valley News editor Susie Quinn, left, talks via Zoom with her niece Abby, who is now living in Nova Scotia and attending college. They used to read stories together over the telephone when Abby was a toddler. (SUSIE QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

QUINN’S QUIPS: I was raised a reader, and I’m passing it on

Alberni Valley News’ editor shares memories of reading to her niece

Alberni Valley News editor Susie Quinn, left, talks via Zoom with her niece Abby, who is now living in Nova Scotia and attending college. They used to read stories together over the telephone when Abby was a toddler. (SUSIE QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
Huu-ay-aht First Nations Chief Councillor Robert Dennis Sr., left, joins Scott Fraser, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation on the steps of the B.C. Legislature for an announcement about the safety of Bamfield Road, Sept. 11, 2020. (BC GOVERNMENT PHOTO)

QUINN’S QUIPS: Reconciliation is only as strong as its partnerships

Bamfield Road deal is an ideal example of the province working with First Nations

Huu-ay-aht First Nations Chief Councillor Robert Dennis Sr., left, joins Scott Fraser, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation on the steps of the B.C. Legislature for an announcement about the safety of Bamfield Road, Sept. 11, 2020. (BC GOVERNMENT PHOTO)
Inuksuk building is a popular activity with tourists and residents alike when they visit Hole in the Wall on the east side of Port Alberni. (KATYA SLEPIAN/ AV News file photo)

QUINN’S QUIPS: Time to talk formally about Hole in the Wall

Safety concerns have brought Port Alberni attraction back in the spotlight

Inuksuk building is a popular activity with tourists and residents alike when they visit Hole in the Wall on the east side of Port Alberni. (KATYA SLEPIAN/ AV News file photo)
Alberni Valley News editor Susie Quinn snapped a photo of herself at Harbour Quay during a break photographing for Day in the Life of Port Alberni. It’s the first year our staff wore masks to take photos. (SUSIE QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

QUINN’S QUIPS: Annual Day in the Life of Port Alberni always yields surprises

Editor Susie Quinn talks about annual photo special

Alberni Valley News editor Susie Quinn snapped a photo of herself at Harbour Quay during a break photographing for Day in the Life of Port Alberni. It’s the first year our staff wore masks to take photos. (SUSIE QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
Unpinning layers, years and memories from my bulletin board at the office as we prepare to move to a new building in September, I uncovered this gem from coworker Rachel Theus’ baby shower for her youngest son. I found the photo on Erik’s ninth birthday. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

QUINN’S QUIPS: Memories build up on bulletin board of life

Oh, my office bulletin board is full of reminders and schedules, but it is also full of memories

Unpinning layers, years and memories from my bulletin board at the office as we prepare to move to a new building in September, I uncovered this gem from coworker Rachel Theus’ baby shower for her youngest son. I found the photo on Erik’s ninth birthday. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
The Port Alberni Train Station is located outside the entrance to Harbour Quay, on Harbour Road in Port Alberni. (AV NEWS FILE PHOTO)

QUINN’S QUIPS: What makes a building historically significant?

There’s a difference between heritage designation and a heritage register

The Port Alberni Train Station is located outside the entrance to Harbour Quay, on Harbour Road in Port Alberni. (AV NEWS FILE PHOTO)
Healthy eating will help maintain a good immune system through autumn’s cold season, says Port Alberni dietitian Sandra Gentleman. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

ACTIVE LIVING: Eating well builds a healthy immune system

Port Alberni registered dietitian Sandra Gentleman writes about health issues

Healthy eating will help maintain a good immune system through autumn’s cold season, says Port Alberni dietitian Sandra Gentleman. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
Reforming the PST can be a powerful tool to get people, businesses back to work long-term

Reforming the PST can be a powerful tool to get people, businesses back to work long-term

Stronger tomorrow plan offers blueprint for job-rich recovery, says Jeff Zweig and Greg D’Avignon

  • Aug 5, 2020
Reforming the PST can be a powerful tool to get people, businesses back to work long-term
Fred Thompson of Port Alberni was part of a crew logging near Jennis Bay when he spied a face cut into a rockface that was ‘too perfect’ to be natural. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

QUINN’S QUIPS: Alberni man discovers a mystery in a rock face

Fred Thompson said ‘face’ revealed in rock after area was logged has to be man made

Fred Thompson of Port Alberni was part of a crew logging near Jennis Bay when he spied a face cut into a rockface that was ‘too perfect’ to be natural. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)
Several goshawk nests were discovered in the Alberni Valley Community Forest last year. Logging operations in the vicinity have been halted to allow biologists to study the site and determine if it is an active breeding area. (AV COMMUNITY FOREST PHOTO)

QUINN’S QUIPS: Hawks’ nests halt logging in Alberni Valley Community Forest

Biologists will take two years to study nest site, says forest manager

Several goshawk nests were discovered in the Alberni Valley Community Forest last year. Logging operations in the vicinity have been halted to allow biologists to study the site and determine if it is an active breeding area. (AV COMMUNITY FOREST PHOTO)
FILE - In this Dec. 9, 2018, file photo, FedEx Field is less than full during the second half of an NFL football game between the Washington Redskins and the New York Giants in Landover, Md. The title sponsor of the Redskins’ stadium wants them to change their name. FedEx said in a statement Thursday, July 2, 2020, “We have communicated to the team in Washington our request that they change the team name.“ (AP Photo/Mark Tenally, File)

COLUMN: Some more appropriate names for Washington NFL team

Finally, Washington’s NFL team would have a name everyone could cheer with pride

FILE - In this Dec. 9, 2018, file photo, FedEx Field is less than full during the second half of an NFL football game between the Washington Redskins and the New York Giants in Landover, Md. The title sponsor of the Redskins’ stadium wants them to change their name. FedEx said in a statement Thursday, July 2, 2020, “We have communicated to the team in Washington our request that they change the team name.“ (AP Photo/Mark Tenally, File)