# 1 Article for media use but re write it please:

Students and vacationers alike with the economy in such a dire state, high gas prices, and tuition costs far from going down, many of you cannot afford to take the ferry, let alone drive across the province or the country.
Vancouver Island is full of fun things to do and amazing things to see; in fact, that’s why many people chose to do their post-secondary studies here. So, if you don’t mind spending the money on gas, here’s a few things to check out on Vancouver Island this summer.
VICTORIA
Ah, the capital city; home of horse-drawn carriages, afternoon tea, and bunnies (shout out to UVic!). But there is more to Victoria than British history…okay not really, but they can try. The best thing to do in Vic is to storm the downtown core on foot and take in the sights and sounds of the summer crowds. Explore the shops, check out Canada’s oldest Chinatown and Fan Tan Alley—which at 1.2 m wide is also Canada’s narrowest street—or chill out on the waterfront where all the street artists set up shop; there’s always something to see.
COWICHAN VALLEY
The Cowichan Valley is peppered with so many little towns that it could take an entire article to feature them all. However, there is a common thread that brings all of these Valley places together: wineries and agro-tourism. If the 100-mile diet is your thing, then this is the place to go. There are more farmer’s markets here than you can shake a stick at and many of the local farmers will sell their products—fruit, veggies, meat, cheese, and other specialty goods—right at their gates. Also, many of the wineries give tours of their vineyards and sell their wine right where it’s produced.
DUNCAN
Duncan is known as the City of Totems, and for good reason. It’s home to over 80 totem poles, including the world’s widest, and 41 of these beautiful pieces of First Nations art and culture are located on the downtown Totem Walk—so just pick up a map and follow the yellow footprints to check it out. And while you’re at it, don’t forget to see the world’s largest hockey stick and puck located at the Cowichan Community Centre!
CHEMAINUS AND THE CHEMAINUS VALLEY
This little town is an art and theatre lover’s dream. First there are the Chemainus murals, which were painted to help revitalize this mill town after a province-wide recession in the 1980s. All of the murals are outside and showcase a part of Chemainus’ history; so go for a stroll and step back in time. Chemainus is also renowned for its world-class live theatre productions. If you want to catch a show, the selections in this summer’s festival of musical and non-musical shows are Ah, Wilderness! (Apr. 23 to May 23) and Oklahoma! (Jun. 4 to Aug. 29). Be sure to shop in the boutique village and do not miss old town. Golf or hike or kayak or dive sure you can do that too right here. Check out www.muraltown.com for more details. Here’s something you may not have thought of yet: the WildPlay Element Park. Formally known as The Bungy Zone, this adventure park offers such exhilarating activities like the Tree Course, bungy jumping, and a zip line. There is also something called the King Swing, in which you and a friend can free-fall over 90 ft. and then swing out over the Nanaimo River, going up to 140 km/h and feeling 2.3 G forces! Let’s just say that this isn’t for the faint of heart. What else check out nearby the flying birds of prey at the Raptor park.
NANAIMO
Yes, worth a visit the parks the harbour and more go to tourism Nanaimo .com
PARKSVILLE
Some people may say that Parksville is the home of the “newly wed and nearly dead,” but I beg to differ. Boasting such attractions as Paradise Mini Golf, which has two 18-hole courses—complete with a pirate ship, a massive clock, and a giant shoe—a full arcade, and bumper boats; and a beautiful sandy beach with an awesome playground, Parksville is just the place for all of those who are young at heart.
COOMBS
Normally if someone said, “look at the goats on the roof!” they’d be taken to the looney-bin, but not in Coombs! For nearly forty years, the roof-residing goats have been drawing crowds to the Old Country Market, which is chock-full of local and imported goods. From fresh fruit and bread, to speciality goods and knick-knacks, there is something for everybody. And once you have your single-scoop ice cream cone (trust me, that’s all you need!), don’t forget to head out back to the row of shops in the Emporium.
PORT ALBERNI
It may be foggy in the Alberni Valley during the winter, but come summer time, this is can one of the hottest places on the Island. With temperatures often reaching around 30º C in a good year, beating the heat is an art! So, head down to the Harbour Quay, where there’s always a breeze, and grab a cool treat as you check out the sights and attractions or the Saturday morning market. Or if you want to get out of the city, take a trip to Sproat Lake Provincial Park for some camping, water sports, and a tour of the world’s largest water bomber airplanes.
WEST COAST
If someone mentions the West Coast, only two things pop into mind: beaches and surfing. The West Coast is home to the Pacific Rim National Park, one of Canada’s most prized nature reserves, so head down to the water or into the surrounding forest for a first-hand look at some of B.C.’s finest wilderness. Just be sure to take all your trash out with you. Also, don’t forget to take a trip into the towns of Tofino and Ucluelet for some souvenir shopping and café hopping. But be sure to heed this most important piece of advice: book your accommodations early. If you don’t, plan to sleep in your car in the parking lot or on the side of the road because even the campsites will be full.
COMOX/COURTNEY
The Comox Valley is an outdoor sports enthusiast’s haven. Get down and dirty with camping, biking, and alpine hiking adventures—or for those of you who want something a little more sophisticated, take in a round or two at one of the area’s many golf courses. There’s also plenty of fun to be had on, and under, the water, so be sure to check out the boating, scuba diving, and fresh and salt-water fishing.
CAMPBELL RIVER
Campbell River is historically known as the salmon capital of the world—although I think Port Alberni may have something to say about that claim—so there really is only one sensible activity choice; grab a fishing rod and go! Head down to the river for some fly fishing, or go to the marina to fish off the dock or rent a charter out to open water. And don’t despair if you don’t catch anything; that’s just a great excuse to make up a story about “the one that got away.”
PORT HARDY
Located near the northern tip of Vancouver Island, Port Hardy is often used as a “jumping off point” for those who want to see the area. From here, you can go whale watching, diving, and kayaking, and for those of you who want to stay on land, Port Hardy has wonderful camping, hiking, and hunting opportunities. Also, since it is the largest business community north of Campbell River, Port Hardy is the place from with to take a ferry to Alert Bay, Bella Bella, Bella Coola, or Prince Rupert.

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# 2 Article name the writer please:

A Day in Chemainus
By Glen Cowley - with permission to reproduce.

People most often visit Chemainus for its murals or live theatre,
perhaps browsing the stores and taking a carriage ride. Unfortunate, for
they are missing so much more in the ‘Little Town that Did’, as the now
somewhat dated phrase proclaims.

For families, singles or couples there is an easy day here, one accommodating any pocket book.
You may want to begin your day early at the downtown parking lot beside
Waterwheel Park on Willow Street.
Stretch, study the map near the churning waterwheel and set off for a full
day’s activities, all within easy walking distance.
Five minutes north along Willow and left on Oak Street brings you to the
small wilderness enclave of Askew Creek Wilderness Park. A tended trail
weaves through looming stands of Douglas Fir, Hemlock and Cedar
following the sweeping curves of Askew Creek, trickling or rushing as the weather dictates.
Within these cool green halls, chittering with songbirds and echoing
The gurgle of the creek, it is easy to imagine yourself far away from the world of man just a stone’s throw away.
Down Oak towards the ferry and left on Maple brings you to Kin Beach Park
where at low tide you can walk out to Bird Rock which shelters multi-hued
starfish and anemones huddled under rocks and in crevasses. Entertainment
may be provided by synchronized water jets from burrowing Horse Clams,
complaining Herring Gulls, flotillas of Buffleheads, nattering yellow-eyed
Oyster Catchers, Black-headed Kingfishers, the seasonal appearance of Bald
Eagles sitting majestic on the little harbour light atop Bird Island, Mallards
and the odd Harlequin duck or Loon tarrying along the shoreline.
Occasionally a curious harbour seal pokes its head above water to survey the surroundings. If you are willing to scramble a bit along the rocky shoreline the other side of the boat launch, where the new marina complex is being built, you can spy Cormorants, regal and still, dotted atop old pilings.

Or, you can sit back and drink in the long outline of the Coast Mountain Range and the shades of blue-green overlapping islands in between.
Back in the downtown area, the Visitor Information Centre, close by the Waterwheel parking lot, affords all sorts of information, including a video history of the world famous murals and an official mural route map for one loonie.
This selfguided walking tour of the famed murals is aided by the painted
yellow feet you can follow around town.
•The pamphlet provides a short note about each of the murals, now officially numbering 41; the latest being a 3D depiction of Emily Carr paintings splayed out upon the wall of the Chemainus Theatre. Poignant stories lie behind these artistic impressions drawn from the dynamic and ancient heritage of this idyllic haven by the sea.
Statues and fountains, with stories implied or recounted, enhance
the atmosphere. The intricately recreated creek, at Heritage Square, with its forlorn statues and the tale of elusive Snipes is worth a special visit.

A leisurely 45-minute stroll can easily double once you allow time to view, ponder and photograph.
Nor is it likely your gaze and interest can avoid the attraction of the numerous quaint and colourful buildings and shops arrayed along Willow and Maple Streets.
Or, even better, why not take a tour with Isabel Askew? This season, for the first time, local actor Michelle Lieffertz is portraying the Chemainus
pioneer who lived in the community in the 1800s.
Michelle, in Victorian costume, provides a tour of Chemainus, expertly explaining the significance of the murals and the history of the various locations on her tour.
Drop by the Visitor Information for more details on the Isabel Askew tour or call 250-246-3944.
Keep an eye on the time and the ferry schedule for Thetis Island. It is a short and scenic walk from the parking lot to the ‘Old Town’ running down to the ferry dock at the foot of Oak Street. The pathway through Waterwheel Park offers a long and stunning view down Maple Street to the ocean.
Waiting for the ferry you can stroll the docks at the Marina or tuck back at the Book Nook bookstore and coffee house, browse for used books, fritter away time on the Internet or listen to local gossip. It’s an easygoing local hangout oozing the charm of “Island Time”.

It’s a refreshing 25- minute ferry ride from Chemainus across Stuart
Channel to Thetis Island, well worth the time and $8.60 per person. A new
perspective sweeps into view as you chug out of the harbour past Cormorants lined up along log booms airing their feathers
like fishermen telling tall tales of the one that got away.
The idyllic, manicured grounds of Capernwray Bible School, crowding the
shoreline, welcome you to Thetis.
A sedate ten minute walk brings you to the long, sheltered finger of Telegraph Harbour lying between Thetis and Kuper Islands. Overlooking the
bay and marina is the Thetis Island Restaurant and Pub with its unassuming
and relaxed atmosphere. A place to enjoy a coffee or sip a brew
at any time, but a special place if you get there for the Bald Eagles.
I’ve been told up to 40 at a time have been spied circling overhead,
hopping along the rocky shoreline, dotting the forest cover on the
opposite shore and even staging the occasional courtship dance in
dramatic, taloned-embraced spirals over the bay. Every year from mid-
May to mid-June they come. Bring your binoculars.

Returning to Chemainus, the hour of the day may be gnawing at your stomach or whispering “treat, treat”. Coffee shops and ice cream outlets complement the numerous restaurants and pubs and you can
always picnic at Kin Park. Either way you can keep your day alive lazing back afterwards at the Dancing Bean Café, where musical entertainment adds to the ambience on Fridays and Saturdays, or at the Twisted
Sisters Tea House on Maple Street (open until 11:00 p.m.), where you can enjoy whatever is playing on their big screen and an assortment of over 149 nine teas.

There is more – the famous live Chemainus Theatre, the Hermit Trails,
galleries, street musicians, the sunken Boeing 737, local museum, the
mural tour by carriage, and a never ending series of community events - but that requires another day. This is not a place to hurry.
The eagles would say you are missing the show if you do.