The Capital Regional District has put together the following list of Christmas-tree chipping sites. Community events are typically by donation, while there are fees at most public works yards. Know of another event? Let us know by sending an email to localnews@timescolonist.com. Be sure to let us know when and where it is happening and who the organizer is. Put the words ‘tree chipping’ in the subject line. TREE-CHIPPING EVENTS • Central Saanich Lions Club 1700 Keating Cross Rd. across from the municipal yard. Jan. 2, Jan. 3, Jan. 9 and Jan. 10, 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. • Colwood Volunteer Firefighters Association Colwood Fire Hall, 3215 Metchosin Rd. Jan. 2 and Jan. 3, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. 250-478-5999
The letter-writer cited the “obvious and increasing commercial success” of wind and solar power. Not so. Both would fail without large research and development and operating subsidies. Wind is particularly problematic due to its very low energy density, high energy and materials inputs during construction, and the decommissioning nightmare (for the taxpayer) at the end of a turbine’s short life-span. Solar is somewhat more promising, but mainly at the residential level. Both wind and solar are unable to produce energy when we need it most. We should be investing in inventing new technologies instead. Stringent pollution controls in the west caused manufacturing to move to countries with less stringent controls – we simply exported our pollution. While the west is ramping down its coal-fired power stations, China is building around 300 new ones. Burning natural gas would be much better.
The virus does not distinguish between the secular or religious context of a gathering. The order also ignores or discounts the importance of worship for the improved mental health of participants. This order is not only unsupported by evidence, but deeply discriminatory when secular gatherings on a large scale in a wide variety of contexts continue to be permitted. We can go the mall or to a support group but we cannot carefully worship with 10 or 20 of our fellows? The church, temple or mosque is a support group! AA is not more deserving of official preference than the worship of God. This is flagrant bigotry and discrimination, not a legitimate public health measure and it brings the reputation of our public health officials into disrepute.