Columnists

Drive Smart columnist Tim Schewe.

Drivesmart column: How to make a safe lane change

Preparation for a lane change is critical

  • Aug 14, 2022
Robert’s column

Robert Barron column: Speculation and vacancy tax should extend to rural areas

Anything that can help relieve the pressure on housing availability

Buckwheat seeds can be sown now for a summer cover crop. (Mary Lowther photo)

Mary Lowther column: Time to sow winter crops in the garden

Midsummer sowing is tricky because of our hot, dry weather

  • Aug 13, 2022
A beary beautiful day for a stroll. And yes, I did take this from the car, but I was the passenger. (Sarah Simpson/Gazette)

Sarah Simpson Column: The best family day out came when we needed it most

Our wild trip to Youbou

A beary beautiful day for a stroll. And yes, I did take this from the car, but I was the passenger. (Sarah Simpson/Gazette)
Drive Smart columnist Tim Schewe.

Drivesmart column: Do-it-yourself towing a no-no

Tow truck, tow bar or trailer is the safe answer and might end up being the least expensive solution

  • Aug 7, 2022
Drive Smart columnist Tim Schewe.
Robert’s column

Robert Barron column: A plea to all drivers; watch out for motorcyclists

All it takes is one lapse in concentration to cause a catastrophe

Robert’s column
Freshly-cut garlic scapes are just one part of the garlic you can use. (Mary Lowther photo)

Mary Lowther column: Getting the most out of your garlic

I sliced them, dried them in the dehydrator and blended that into a powder

  • Aug 6, 2022
Freshly-cut garlic scapes are just one part of the garlic you can use. (Mary Lowther photo)
Members of the Cowichan High School graduating class of 1952. (Courtesy of Pete Kenyon)

Sarah Simpson Column: Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name

Seventy years. SEVENTY YEARS! Seventy years ago Elizabeth II became the Queen…

Members of the Cowichan High School graduating class of 1952. (Courtesy of Pete Kenyon)
A Chilliwack Military Education Centre tank crushing cars is scheduled to be on display at the Chilliwack Fair on all three days, Aug. 5, 6 and 7, 2022. (Chilliwack Fair Facebook)

OPINION: Chilliwack Fair’s display of tank crushing cars deemed ‘insensitive’ in light of Ukraine war

Chilliwack has a proud military history but military tanks shouldn’t be crushing civilian vehicles

A Chilliwack Military Education Centre tank crushing cars is scheduled to be on display at the Chilliwack Fair on all three days, Aug. 5, 6 and 7, 2022. (Chilliwack Fair Facebook)
Drive Smart columnist Tim Schewe.

Drivesmart column: Camping beside a highway: maybe, maybe not

This must be considered along with municipal and regional rules

  • Jul 31, 2022
Drive Smart columnist Tim Schewe.
Water timers simplify gardening. (Mary Lowther photo)

Column: The ins and outs of watering your garden

Mountain Gardening

  • Jul 30, 2022
Water timers simplify gardening. (Mary Lowther photo)
A ferry arrives at Horseshoe Bay near West Vancouver, B.C. Monday, March 16, 2020. British Columbia’s health and safety agency for workers has imposed a hefty fine on BC Ferry Services Inc. over the death of one of its workers in June 2020.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

CAMERON: Can a new captain at BC Ferries set the ship straight?

Joy McPhail moves on to herculean challenge of fixing problem-plagued BC Ferries

A ferry arrives at Horseshoe Bay near West Vancouver, B.C. Monday, March 16, 2020. British Columbia’s health and safety agency for workers has imposed a hefty fine on BC Ferry Services Inc. over the death of one of its workers in June 2020.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
Volunteer Cowichan’s third Annual Aging Well Seniors Expo. We had over 250 attendees, 34 vendors, eight sponsors, eight donations and five presenters. (Courtesy of Volunteer Cowichan)

Column: It takes courage to be courageous

Life satisfaction comes from being your own hero

  • Jul 24, 2022
Volunteer Cowichan’s third Annual Aging Well Seniors Expo. We had over 250 attendees, 34 vendors, eight sponsors, eight donations and five presenters. (Courtesy of Volunteer Cowichan)
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Robert Barron Column: Municipal elections are hard to cover

It’s going to be a busy fall in the newsroom with the…

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From bagpipers to clowns, from firetrucks to dancers and pups, there was so much to see at this year’s Panago Parade on Duncan Day, July 9. (Sarah Simpson/Citizen)

Sarah Simpson Column: Social interaction can be much like the weather: unpredictable

OK, OK, it happened. It’s kind of like bringing your umbrella. When…

From bagpipers to clowns, from firetrucks to dancers and pups, there was so much to see at this year’s Panago Parade on Duncan Day, July 9. (Sarah Simpson/Citizen)
We have enough strawberries to make some tarts. (Mary Lowther photo)

Mary Lowther column: Best strawberry crop in 15 years

Gardening books that show bumper crops of strawberries on unprotected plants don’t live where I do

  • Jul 16, 2022
We have enough strawberries to make some tarts. (Mary Lowther photo)
Soup is for winter. (Sarah Simpson/Citizen)

Sarah Simpson Column: Summer weather leaves us craving soup

These days I’ve had a significant craving for soup. Not just any…

Soup is for winter. (Sarah Simpson/Citizen)
Drive Smart columnist Tim Schewe.

Drivesmart column: What to do at railway crossings

About 20 crossing collisions occur each year in British Columbia

  • Jul 10, 2022
Drive Smart columnist Tim Schewe.
Robert’s column

Robert Barron column: Adventures on the high seas

I heard a low keening sound from the grassy field just off the beach where I had set up my ten

Robert’s column
Compost tea, diluted and sprayed on strawberry plants, produces the berries. (Mary Lowther photo)

Mary Lowther column: Healthy soil key to healthy plants

Untilled soil will also prevent disease as the plants have continued contact with micro biota

  • Jul 9, 2022
Compost tea, diluted and sprayed on strawberry plants, produces the berries. (Mary Lowther photo)