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The fact that I’ve been missing-in-action on my blog since Monday hasn’t escaped me. I’ve come home from work each day this week and felt a pang of guilt when I saw the “Blog Dashboard” bookmark in Safari, knowing that the neglect was growing each day. So I shut off my computer and flipped the TV on instead.

In reality, it couldn’t be helped. Life at the office has been insanely busy for me this week, compounded with the loss of sleep I experienced on Sunday night. The fire alarms in my building went off not one time but three times between 2:30 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. that night. Calling me grumpy would be understating the truth and, appropriately enough, I’ve been “Zombie Keira-Anne” since then.

Photo: Duane Storey on Flickr

Needless to say, I am most definitely looking forward to re-grouping myself on the weekend. Tracy-Lee and I are taking our fur babies to the Howl-O-Ween Pawty doggy meet-up at Bow Wow Haus this evening before I cop a squat with buttered popcorn and some CSI:NY. I plan on spending Saturday afternoon commencing my search for the perfect birthday party dress, starting the hunt at Plum on South Granville. Saturday night is date night and Sunday will be spent in my pajamas in front of my laptop as I write and write and write for my faithful readers.

That said, I pledge to be back on my game and in fine form next week with fresh content. If you have any ideas for a post topic or Island Profile feature, please feel free to let me know. I’m always interested in readers’ ideas!

A week ago, with the bright sun shining down on us, it was hard to believe that it was October. Seven days makes all the difference because a quick peek out the window erases any doubt that Fall has indeed arrived.

While most of us would prefer to stay at home on blustery days, there are a number of indoor activities to activate the mind. The Courtenay & District Museum, Archives & Palaeontology Centre provides a unique and interactive experience that allows visitors to get in touch with the roots of this unique community. While the hands-on museum features everything from fossils to photos, I’ve taken the opportunity to highlight some of the Comox Valley’s historical snapshots from the museum’s archives that truly are worth 1,000 words.

Native Sons Hall, Courtenay, circa 1928

All photos featured in today’s Island Profile are © the Courtenay & District Museum, Archives & Palaeontology Centre. More photos from the gallery archive can be viewed online. Those wishing to visit the museum will find it at 207 Fourth Street in Courtenay, housed in the former post office. Admission is by donation.

It’s unfortunate that they get such a bum rap because in my experience, I’ve never met a pit bull-type of dog that I didn’t like. Interestingly enough, did you know that there is no one such breed that can be defined as a “pit bull”?

“Pit bull” is a broad term, simply a label slapped on many of the dogs belonging to the molosser group of dogs [source], largely identified by a solid build, heavy bones, a short muzzle and pendant ears. Molosser dogs – or “pit bulls” if you will – include rottweilers, mastiffs, certain terrier breeds and American Staffordshire terriers like my cookie-loving, sweet buddy Jake, pictured below.

Because of the general associations made with pit bulls, campaigning and championing for these dogs often comes with much adversity and challenge. One such pit bull, a smiley and gentle giant named Floyd, needs your help. Floyd was found malnourished and in severe pain due to a crooked muzzle, dislocated jaw and confinement in a small space. Thanks to the amazing people at HugABull, Floyd was given a second chance after some costly veterinarian bills and is now convalescing in a warm foster home.

Comox Valley pet photographer, Kim Rose, felt a heart connection to Floyd after adopting her own pit bull from HugABull and is holding a fundraiser this Saturday, October 23 to generate cash to pay for Floyd’s veterinary expenses. Pets and their owners can visit the Van Isle Veterinary Hospital at 1111 Braidwood Road in Courtenay and have their pets’ photos taken by Kim by donation. All proceeds will benefit Floyd’s recovery, with any and all funds raised above that amount to be donated to HugABull to help other pit bulls who just need a break.

Should you wish to visit Van Isle Veterinary Hospital and have your pet’s photo taken, Kim Rose requests that all animals be leashed and under control of its owner. While the photography is by donation, a donation of $20 is suggested.

…and if there was ever any question as to just how cuddly and affectionate these dogs can be, look no further.

As a young girl, I was fascinated with Unsolved Mysteries and kept my eyes glued to the TV each week, excited for the goosebumps that Robert Stack’s ghostly stories would elicit. With Halloween around the corner, I thought it would be interesting to explore some of Vancouver Island’s most famous supposedly haunted locations.

Being the Island’s biggest city, it should come as no surprise that much of the reported paranormal activity is centred around Victoria. I turned to the Vancouver Island Paranormal Society for more details on some of these terrifying tales. Read on if you dare…

Bastion Square and Helmcken Alley – Victoria

What is today a popular and charming tourist destination was once home to a jailhouse. And before that, local First Nations people believed that the spot held strong magical powers. In the 1800s, prisoners were often led down the main alley and hung in the courtyard. Today, locals experience chain rattling sounds, orbs in photographs and other strange activity, said to be the spirits of executed prisoners. [source]

Photo: thievingjoker on Flickr

Beban House – Nanaimo

Many BC timber barons called Vancouver Island home, one of the most notable being Frank Beban. His estate was sold to the City of Nanaimo in 1953 before becoming Tourism Nanaimo’s headquarters. Prior to that, a daycare centre was located in the home. Children attending the daycare often reported seeing a strangely-dressed child playing with a red ball – a child that would often show up in drawings and depictions the children shared. It’s thought that the child was a former servant that worked in Beban’s home, a young boy who had died in the house decades before. Inexplicable occurrences such as slamming doors and water taps that turn on and off are still reported to this day. [source]

Photo: Painted Turtle Guesthouse

Ross Bay Cemetery – Victoria

One of the most picturesque resting places in the capital region is home to a truly Victorian experience. Tree-lined pathways and hand-chiseled tombstones are the playground of several very notable ghosts. David Fee, who was murdered in 1890 on the steps of St. Andrews Cathedral on Christmas Eve, Isabella Ross and an unknown elderly couple have been spotted on a number of occasions throughout this cemetery. [source]

Photo: freedryk on Flickr

The Qualicum Heritage Inn – Qualicum Beach

Photo: Haunted Sites In North America

For more than a century, a boarding house for boys built in 1835 operated as such before being transformed into an inn in the early ’70s. The Inn has since become a hotbed of activity, including mystifying computer printer and telephone performances, strange dreams that grip guests in the night, followed by frightening sounds. The staff at the Inn chalk these incidents up to nothing more than the boys from the former boarding house playing pranks on guests and staff. For an added scare, check out one guest’s experience at the Inn in 2005. [source]

Victoria Golf Club – Victoria

Lapping the shores of Oak Bay, the Victoria Golf Club is said to be the scene of a grisly murder in the fall of 1936. Victor Gravlin purportedly strangled his wife Doris on the course before he himself died mysteriously not far from the golf course. Perhaps one of Victoria’s most well-known ghosts, Doris often appears as a white figure or twinkling lights, usually spotted near the seventh fairway or by the beach. Those that have encountered Doris report a sudden cold breeze and “a general sense of foreboding” when she’s near. [source]

Photo: Score Golf on Flickr

Schooner Restaurant – Tofino

One of Tofino’s most beloved eateries is also home to one of the Island’s “friendliest” ghosts. In the restaurant’s early days, a chef named Morris was the chief chowder man. Since his death, staff at the Schooner have reported a number of mysterious occurrences, all of which are credited to Morris’s presence which still lingers to this day. [source]

Photo: katie/king on Flickr

Has anything strange or spooky happened to you on Vancouver Island? Have you ever encountered something frightening at one of the places listed above? I’d love to hear your stories, so please leave them in the comments. To discover more of Vancouver Island’s spooky stories or to find out more about the Vancouver Island Paranormal Society, please visit their website.

Last week the Phoenix Suns brought a slice of the NBA to Rogers Arena in Vancouver for some pre-season action versus Canada’s only basketball team, the Toronto Raptors. It’s been nearly a decade since basketball had a home in BC, so for hoop fans in this city, live pre-season action is a huge deal. Suffice it to say, a large component of the sold out crowd was fans of Victoria-raised Steve Nash, excited to see BC’s “Golden Boy” displaying his skills on home turf.

Not long after the exhibition game was announced, I was invited by the Suns’ digital media team to assist on reporting the event for Suns.com. The invitation was a true honour and it was incredibly exciting to be a part of such an event in my hometown. In celebration of the evening that was, I wanted to take the opportunity to share a number of the photographs I snapped.

Steve Nash was intense about warming up during the pre-game shoot around.

Jared Dudley hit nothing but net during the warm up.

All eyes were on Phoenix’s biggest off-season acquisition, Hedo Turkoglu.

Robin Lopez, the legendary Grant Hill and Garret Siler during the warm-up.

Josh Childress, Zabian Dowdell and Earl Clark weren’t sweatin’ the pending match-up.

Grant Hill, Hakim Warrick, Hedo Turkoglu and Jason Richardson are the epitome of skill and style as they rock the official colour of the Purple Palace.

Even the Suns’ official mascot, the Gorilla, was on hand to amp up the crowd.

However, sometimes mascots get star-struck too. Alex Burrows of the Vancouver Canucks was happy to oblige the Gorilla with an autograph.

Despite all the hyped anticipation, the Suns ultimately fell to the Raptors in a crushing defeat with a final score of 78-129. Luckily winning isn’t everything and the game still provided high energy entertainment and lasting memories for all of us – myself certainly included. I’d like to especially thank Jeramie, Stefan and the rest of the Suns’ crew for providing the opportunity.

If you’d like to read my summary of the evening on the Suns’ blog, you can do so here. I had a friend on hand to assist in photography; his phenomenal photo set can be viewed here on Flickr.

The Comox Valley is no stranger to an abundance at harvest time, and now the area’s Regional District is cooking up a competition to entice those with an eye for great photography. The CVRD’s Got Produce is a brand new contest seeking to showcase the vast array of locally-grown food.

Until October 31st, entrants can submit their photographs of anything and everything to do with Comox Valley food: farm markets, food producers, local fields, working farms or even photos of residents cooking with or eating locally-produced food. Photographs will be shortlisted by a jury process with the finalists going to an online vote.

Photo: sporkist on Flickr

The grand prize to be awarded is tickets for two to the Winter Solstice Full Moon Feast at Tria Culinary studio – including an exclusive tour of the Blue Moon Estate Winery, courtesy passes to the CVRD sports and aquatic centers and an eco-gift basket. Prizes will also be awarded to the second and third runners up. For more information on this contest and how to enter, please visit the CVRD’s website or Facebook page. You can stay up-to-date on this contest and other regional info by following the CVRD on Twitter.

While several week have passed since torrential rains saturated their way through some of the North Island’s communities, Port Hardy and other outlying towns have only just begun the process of rebuilding and moving forward. The devouring floods that hit the region have personally impacted me as I’m proud to say that Port Hardy is where this girl’s story began.

Photo: Logantech on Flickr

For a normally pristine region that relies heavily on industry and tourism, these floods have also managed to wipe out vital aspects of Port Hardy’s economy. Some communities, in fact, have become completely isolated from the rest of the civilized world. The impact has been both severe and devastating.

Though the North Island District has done an incredible job in offering assistance and support to those affected, a great deal more work needs to be done. Infrastructure inspections and repairs are underway and financial assistance has been given to those in greatest need. Cash donations are also being received by the Salvation Army, while the Canadian Red Cross has diligently assembled and distributed Flood Recovery Kits.

Unfortunately, this assistance is only scratching the surface. If you’d like to assist the North Island’s flood victims, you can do so in the following ways:

• Canadian Red Cross Flood Recovery Kits require buckets, brooms, antiseptic cleanser, standard cleanser, gloves and garbage bags.
• Cash donations are gratefully accepted by the Salvation Army, located at 8635 Granville Street in Port Hardy.
• Victim assistance can be donated to the Mt. Waddington Salvation Army Lighthouse Resource Centre at 250-949-8125.

For a picturesque trip to this vibrant Vancouver Island region, please take a moment to view a YVR-produced clip on Port Hardy.

As an aside, the coastal BC community of Kingcome Inlet has perhaps felt the greatest impact of the flooding back in September. All residents are still waiting to return home and it may be another month before they are able to do so. If you’d like to donate funds to the disaster relief, you can visit any branch of the Royal Bank of Canada and contribute to the “Kingcome Inlet Flood Relief Trust for Dzawadaenux First Nation”. Click here for more details.

A huge congratulations to @_honeywild_ on Twitter for winning a doggy bag of fun surprises and a gift card from Bow Wow Haus! Thanks to all who entered.

Photo: Andrea

After a night out with friends on Friday and meal prep on Saturday, I spent the entirety of Sunday cooking a full Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings for a few friends. We ate, laughed and drank wine well into the wee hours of the evening and I couldn’t have asked for a better group to spend Thanksgiving with. Yesterday, in an effort to work off all that food, I triumphed over the Grouse Grind for the second time in my life and can’t wait to hit that trail again!

Needless to say, my Thanksgiving weekend proved to be much, much busier than I anticipated, which has left little time for blogging. I’ll be back tomorrow morning with some fresh content.

The time of year has come for leaves the colour of the sunset, electric orange pumpkins, harvest season on our Island’s farms and, for many, juicy turkey dinners. Thanksgiving is also a time at which we can – and should – each take a moment to recognize the abundance of blessings in our lives, whether tangible or not.

Photo: ernestvr2001 on Flickr

I had the opportunity to spend last weekend with my family and a few close friends doing just that. I can’t begin to express enough thankfulness for the people in my life, an incredibly supportive family, new beginnings, health, genuine friendships, exciting opportunities and one sweet little furball. This weekend I’m celebrating by taking time for my friends by preparing a meal for a few of them, as well as partaking in some volunteering.

How and where are you celebrating Thanksgiving this year? What are you thankful for in your life?

“There’s an app for that” is a phrase that our technologically-forward society is quite familiar with. With the launch of the Vancouver Island Exploration Guide, published by Sutro Media, navigating the Island is now as simple as dancing your fingertips across your iPhone screen.

Jamie Moore, an award-winning travel writer based out of Nanaimo, wanted to create an application that made exploring our own backyard both fun and easy to use. “It’s the kind of guide that comes in handy whether you’re standing on a street corner looking for a good seafood restaurant or lying on your couch planning a day hike,” she explains. “The best part is that it’s always growing with new entries and the latest info, and users get free updates for life.”

Not only does the app allow you to pinpoint your exact location, users are also able to search for what they need based on region, activity and even price point. Over 740 crisp photographs and 130 activities are included, which Moore will be updating on a regular basis. The Vancouver Island Exploration Guide app is available for iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad users and can be purchased in the iTunes app store for $2.99.