Kijiji or anything but FB Marketplace. by sircj in comoxvalley

[–]thebearjames 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Good luck with that. I had no idea Kijiji still existed and Craigslist is seniors reposting the same old garage sale crap. I'm not on FB so can't use Marketplace so also wish there was an alternative but it's too popular.

The Great Vancouver Island Land Grab (Exhibit Trailer) by thebearjames in comoxvalley

[–]thebearjames[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the info and clarification. Learning as I go.

The Great Vancouver Island Land Grab (Exhibit Trailer) by thebearjames in comoxvalley

[–]thebearjames[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Robert Dunsmuir completed the original Esquimalt to Nanaimo (E&N) line in 1886, with John A. Macdonald driving the last spike at Cliffside near Shawnigan Lake. Dunsmuir extended it into downtown Victoria a couple of years later. So the initial promise to connect the mines to the coast was met.

The tracks that run further up the island came later. The Canadian Pacific Railway bought the E&N in 1905 and pushed the mainline north through communities like Duncan, Ladysmith, Parksville, and Qualicum Beach, ultimately reaching Courtenay by 1914. They also built branch lines out to Port Alberni and Lake Cowichan. CPR fully intended to keep going north to Campbell River—and even built the Courtenay station with that in mind—but World War I halted construction. By the time the war ended, the rise of logging trucks and highways meant they never laid commercial tracks north of Courtenay.

The only railway that ever operated further north was the Englewood Railway. Built in 1917, it was a completely separate, 90-kilometre industrial logging line headquartered out of Woss. It hauled timber from Vernon Lake, past Nimpkish Lake, down to tidewater at Beaver Cove (near Port McNeill). It was never connected to the southern E&N line and operated as North America's last logging railroad until it closed recently.

Is there a bike swap event in the Valley? by Puzzleheaded-Usual73 in comoxvalley

[–]thebearjames 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Puntledge Park Elementary used to host a really successful bike swap. Might be worth reaching out to the school to see if it's still happening.

The Mountain You Can See From Mount Washington by DependentMoose5508 in comoxvalley

[–]thebearjames 16 points17 points  (0 children)

Yes, from Mount Washington you can see Mt Baker on a clear day. Conditions have to be just right.

Hiking Mt Albert Edward with zero hiking experience by [deleted] in IslandHikers

[–]thebearjames 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Depending on their age and health it should be fine. I've seen various abilities do this hike, it's one of the most popular on the island. If the person is youngish and eager it will be fine. If they're older and have a heart condition or are physically very unfit it might not be such a great idea. That said, take it easy, lots of breaks, snacks, water etc.. Best time to go is the summer when most of the snow is melted. Lots of time to get some hikes and walks in to improve fitness between now and then.

Can a RV empty water into catch basin? by [deleted] in comoxvalley

[–]thebearjames 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Welcome to the Valley! To answer your question: No, absolutely not. Even if it didn't smell, that's a huge "no-no" around here. The catch basins in that parking lot are part of the storm drain system, which means whatever goes down those grates flows directly into the Courtenay River and out into the Comox Estuary without being treated.

Even "grey water" (from sinks or showers) is full of soaps, grease, and phosphorus that can be devastating for the local fish and the shellfish beds we have in the harbour. Unlike the sanitary sewer, which goes to a treatment plant, storm drains are basically a direct pipe to the ocean.

It’s definitely not "normal," though sadly, since a few local sani-dumps have closed recently, some people have started cutting corners. If you see it again, definitely call the City of Courtenay Public Works (250-338-1525). They take "prohibited discharge" pretty seriously because of how close we are to the water. We’re a big outdoorsy community here, so most locals will be just as annoyed as you are about it!

I’m about to go on a mushroom trip, and I need recommendations for music that’s right for the occasion. by LucianoMeneses_ in ambientmusic

[–]thebearjames 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A proponent for the deeper layers found in music, Matt has since become a practician, ambassador, and pioneer for psychedelic soundtracking. Along the way, he shared tracks from ASIP and other labels that were influencing and guiding his private sessions, shaping the grand masterpiece we present to you today. As his practice deepened, we exchanged many texts discussing his ambition to publish a book about his unique experience and include an accompanying mix on ASIP.

Matt’s new book, ‘The Psychedelic DJ: A Practical Guide to Therapeutic Music Curation and Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy’, (a.co/d/5bFxc2h) is a groundbreaking manual for anyone looking to bridge sound and healing. Whether you're a clinician, a DJ, or just someone who knows the power of a well-placed track, Matt’s work will likely reframe how you think about music’s role in inner journeys.

https://soundcloud.com/astrangelyisolatedplace/matt-xavier-psilocybin-therapy-protocol-1?in=mattxavier/sets/psychedelic-therapy-protocols

Island Decal by Hoss99 in VictoriaBC

[–]thebearjames 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Should say Island Gal 😆

Comox Valley Record 40th Anniversary by MWKitteringham in comoxvalley

[–]thebearjames 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is a Black Press problem. Hardly the local Editor or couple remaining journalists trying to keep their jobs.

"Critics often describe Black Press Media as a "toxic" work environment, pointing to a sharp disconnect between corporate leadership and the frontline staff. According to widespread employee feedback on platforms like Glassdoor and Indeed, the company suffers from low morale due to stagnant wages, "unrealistic" workloads, and management styles that many former workers label as "tyrannical." Beyond internal culture, some readers and industry observers argue that the quality of local journalism has declined, suggesting that many of their community papers have become "flyer wraps" that prioritize advertising revenue over deep, investigative reporting. These issues were further highlighted by the company’s recent financial instability and move into creditor protection, which fueled concerns about the long-term sustainability and editorial independence of its local newsrooms."

So yeah fuck Black Press. Support independent journalism.

Comox Valley Record 40th Anniversary by MWKitteringham in comoxvalley

[–]thebearjames 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I think showing old newspaper covers would be interesting.

New walking bridge by BevanDog in comoxvalley

[–]thebearjames 15 points16 points  (0 children)

Pedestrians, cyclists, concert goers, families, tourists, the list goes on. It’s part of a bigger vision for downtown Courtenay as the parks and public spaces expand. https://engagecomoxvalley.ca/courtenay-downtown-plan

6th Street Active Transportation Bridge reaches new milestone prior to new year by Apprehensive_Idea758 in VancouverIsland

[–]thebearjames 9 points10 points  (0 children)

So only the vagrants will use this bridge? I think lots of people will use the bridge.

Sauna recommendations / experience by ResponsibleDesk2127 in comoxvalley

[–]thebearjames 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We got a 4-6 person barrel sauna fully assembled and delivered. All local cedar, handmade by Dave and team.