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May-July 2009 (Vol.1 No.3): Release date May 6, 2009

Editorial theme: The Business of Nature: Sooke's saving grace

Sooke must become more than Victoria's get-away bedroom community

PUBLISHER's EDITORIAL - MAPLELINE MAGAZINE - May-Jul.09 - THE BUSINESS OF NATURE: "Now that forestry and fishing are a thing of past (so far as sustaining Sooke's economy), Sooke has become a bedroom community to commuters who work in various parts of Greater Victoria. Given the cost, time and frustration of daily commuting (not to mention the deleterious environmental impact), Sooke must step quickly into the future.

To expand its tax base and survive as a growing District/town, Sooke will need to rely on "The Business of Nature" -- not just eco-tourism with B&B's and seasonal outdoor sport, but with conference venues and educational facilities that draw substantial year-round visitors and spenders to Sooke. Victoria has Undersea Gardens, Saanich Peninsula has Butchart Gardens, and Sidney has an Ocean Sciences Centre plus its compact walkabout business and seaside retail sector. Until now the Sooke Region Museum has held the fort (one-millionth visitor was celebrated in June 2009).

Next steps... a year-round nature sanctuary with youth education centre, scientific research using satellite communications for live conversations with experts around the globe, and a conference centre that generates ideas and dollars year round. When a group of community-minded business folks steps forwar into such ventures, something fantastic will happen to this town.

Local agricultural economic activity will also, by necessity of our distance from mainstream commerce, become a mainstay." ~ Mary P. Brooke, editor and publisher

Features in the printed May-July 2009 issue (print release date May 6):
Sooke real estate is bouncing back, by Mary P. Brooke
Summer eye care: UV Rays and more, by Louise Morin, optometrist
The Year 2012, by Donald C. Mills
Sooke Harbour House - jewel of the isle, by Mary P. Brooke
Electric cycling to Sooke, by Marcella Obrdrazlek
Sooke-area dirt biking, by Jorg Langewitz
BC Election: run-up to May 12, by John Twigg. Jump to the MapleLine blog to comment on election news.
BC Election: meet the three Juan de Fuca candidates. Jump to the MapleLine blog to comment on election news. BC Election May 12: RE-ELECTED in JUAN DE FUCA: John Horgan, NDP