BOUQUET We had DRG Plumbing and Heating attend our residence to look at our furnace. We were having issues with a noisy furnace. Dustin spent an hour checking it out and was very helpful and knowledgeable in getting to the bottom of the problem. We sure appreciated his expertise. Highly recommended.
BEEF To the university for looking at cutting its world-renowned music department. Music is one of, if not, the most unifying element we have as a species. Music brings people together to celebrate life and bring unity in a common quest for happiness, and spiritual uplifting.
BOUQUET To my kind neighbour Lindsay. Had you not kept a keen ear, no one would have heard my scared little Millie crying in the rain. Thanks to you, she’s now warm, safe and full of purrs. You’re a gem.
BEEF To the long-term care home. Being a reliable, long-term employee means nothing, and there’s no care, or concern, how all the changes might affect your staff and their lives. Plus an insult telling residents work will be done better, albeit, with way less time. Everyone’s unhappy.
BOUQUET Reading from New Westminster, I have to say I enjoy your Beefs & Bouquets. It’s a great way to bring attention to things and maybe wake up a few people, such as the arrogant swimmers. I wish more newspapers had this. Kudos and thank you.
BEEF I am sick and tired of nothing being done about this constant hum here in Cedar. It literally keeps people awake all night. It just can’t be ignored. We all pay our taxes and seems that nothing ever gets resolved in this city. This has been going on for a long time and now in 2024 it just seems even louder.
BOUQUET To Quinn, the young man who delivers our Nanaimo Bulletin. Thank you for doing such a fantastic job each week. You are respectful of our properties, using only the driveways when it would be easier to cut across the lawns. You are polite and greet the residents with a smile. Thank you for being a great community helper and keep up the good work.
BEEF A Nanaimo neighbourhood’s pickleball courts were closed for a quiet Easter weekend. Why can’t they develop a quiet pickleball ball?
BOUQUET To Carmen at Island Deaf and Hard of Hearing Centre, Gail at Pharmasave, the ladies at Highview Optical and of course Yolanda for giving me a wonderful day, solving all my problems.
BEEF To people who say trauma is why so many people are on the streets. Most people have trauma – ask them. The ones who thrive get up and work. There are a lot of minimum-wage jobs out there – businesses are closing because of lack of employees. If people have disabilities then we help them as a society. Addiction (to the level that society has today) isn’t a good enough reason for the able-bodied. Isn’t it better to be proud of your day’s efforts?
BOUQUET To Keenan at Mobile Klinik. This senior has the world’s simplest flip phone and still managed to impose the black screen of death on it with the improper use of rechargeable batteries. Keenan was polite, professional, brought it back from the dead and educated me so I won’t do it again then sent me on my way with a working phone at no charge.
BEEF To the one neighbour in the mobile home park who calls the manager and the city for any minor thing they think is illegal. We are all tired of snitches.
BOUQUET To the firefighters at the Nanaimo Fire Rescue Station 4 in Chase River. My 21-month-old son and I saw the fire truck outside and we headed over uninvited because he loves fire trucks. The firefighters opened the garage doors and showed him the ‘nice’ truck. They flashed the lights for him and were incredibly kind. You truly made his day.
BEEF Disgusted by the so-called Canada Dental Care Plan. It’s taking months, and months, and months to maybe become operational. Meanwhile people like me and many others with urgent dental care needs will pay the typical exorbitant fees out of pocket. Some lucky people will benefit from the plan (if it ever actually becomes operational), but an awful lot of us will have been left to drain our bank accounts and max out our credit cards.
BOUQUET To the lovely gentleman from the city who took time and great care cleaning the tunnel and entire pathway behind École Océane. I walk that path every day and your work is greatly appreciated.
BEEF To the drivers who do not use their turn signals. I guess it was a very expensive option especially on high-end vehicles.
BOUQUET To Black Press Media and its variety of editors and the staff for service over the years. Thank you.
BEEF Who comes first, the bicyclist or the money-pit bicyclist lane? Nope, you’re wrong. It’s the car. The streets were made for us drivers, not you riders. If you’re too woke to buy an internal combustion engine car then buy an EV.
BOUQUET To our friend Deborah who tirelessly advocated for her vulnerable partner.We should all be so lucky to have her in our corner.
BEEF To people who say things like ‘don’t have kids if you can’t afford them.’ There’s some truth in that not everyone’s suited to be a parents, but blaming poor people for being poor and suggesting they just not be allowed to reproduce is some real boot-licking behaviour. The wealthy elites aren’t going to give you a cookie for bullying your fellow citizens. It shouldn’t be a special privilege to meet basic life goals.
BOUQUET Thank you to Highview Optical for always being so kind and going beyond good service to provide eye care for everyone. We have been going to the lovely ladies for years. You work very hard.
BEEF There are some people who own trailer parks who are bullies and harass old people. Should these people who call themselves management be allowed to do this? I walk on a walker and have been accused of walking through vacant lots. I have permission.
BOUQUET To the individual who found my prescription glasses on the Holland Creek Trail and placed them on the doggy doo bin. I went back a week later, retraced my steps, and found them at the end. Thanks so much, saved me the cost of replacing them.
BEEF To entitled, dangerous drivers on the parkway. On two of the last three occasions I merged from Jingle Pot Road onto the parkway, I was tailgated to the point where I thought if they got any closer, they’d be in the back seat of my car. Stupid thing is, at the next stop light, at Northfield Road, there they were. Didn’t gain anything.
BOUQUET To our city road planners and maintenance for putting a four-way stop sign on Stonewater Drive and Sarum Rise Way.
BEEF To the selfish man who refused to wear a mask when given one at the information desk at Nanaimo hospital. One day when you or a loved one are in hospital perhaps you’ll comply. In the meantime if you won’t wear a mask do us all a favour and stay away. Patients don’t need you to add to their stress and possible contagion.
BOUQUET Thanks so much to the editors for what they do for each and every one of us.
BEEF Why are transit drivers becoming less and less friendly? I can understand the frustration of having to deal with the intoxicated, the addicted, the rude teens and the ongoing excuses for not having bus fare, but some of us are paying transit users.
BOUQUET To the three drivers who did not tailgate me today on Hammond Bay Road. You know who you are.
BEEF To the driver of the Elantra with one working brake light. You breezed through the stop sign in the Long Lake area without looking on your right and you did not see us. Please pay attention, stop and look. The children of the neighbourhood will soon be out playing.
BOUQUET To the supervisor at the Chase River Country Grocer who bought a bag of dog food for me when I went in there and asked if I could borrow it. I’m doing my best, keeping on the high road while trying to rise out of homelessness. Thank you.
BEEF To the person in the mall food court who swore at a mother and her upset toddler. It’s loud and busy and clearly overstimulating for a child. Maybe go away yourself, or offer words of encouragement for mom or the overwhelmed toddler. Perhaps busy malls aren’t for you either.
BOUQUET To the Nanaimo Bulletin photographer who took a photo of our toddler with the Easter bunny and featured him on the front page of the newspaper. We are new to town and it made us feel so welcomed.
BEEF To ads encouraging people to learn to bet on sporting events. It’s all about the money.
BOUQUET To Turley’s Florist. The best flowers I’ve ever had. I won them from this section and will always buy from you going forward – still thriving after two and a half weeks. Love how they are brightening my kitchen for so long. Many thanks.
BEEF To the seniors’ home for not having wi-fi for visitors, so other family members could do a video call with family members, too. Missing my mother.
BOUQUET To my wife for finding the steak sauce in the fridge for me. It was behind the milk apparently. I never would have seen it if she didn’t point it out.
BEEF To a mechanic and manager for falsely accusing my husband of hitting a car. You made me feel like a criminal saying we broke a customer’s licence cover and when we checked the tapes it didn’t show we were at fault. I had a PTSD flashback after this and both of you never apologized. Bouquet to the cashier who gave me water while I tried to overcome my emotions.
BOUQUET To Gerry who lives in the mobile park in Lantzville, thank you so much for giving me the walker so I can walk better than on my cane.
BEEF To everyone who constantly badgers me about where in town I was able to get such a fabulous cut and style. For the last time, it’s Paul at Violet Hair Lounge.
BOUQUET To the woman I met in the cafeteria lineup on B.C. Ferries. We conversed about my mom’s Pirate Pak lunch choice. Maybe the next lunch conversation we have could be at a different restaurant? Thanks for making my day special.
BEEF To my boys for taking my tools and not putting them back after using them, also a bouquet to my boys for being interested in tools because I am, too.
BOUQUET I had a fall that resulted in a tibia/fibula fracture. From the time EMS came until my release, I had the very best of care. After my surgery, done by two very skilled physicians, I was taken to a room on the sixth floor where I recuperated with the care of patient, competent nursing and care aide staff. Dr. Ashman sent me to a low-intensity rehab unit, where I had excellent care and thoroughly enjoyed meeting these refreshing young people. When I was released, an occupational therapist discussed my home care and assured me that I would be supported as long as I needed it. This talk of our health care system being broken is nonsense.
BEEF I know bike lanes are here to stay, but why would you need a four-foot ditch with it? It takes up half the road. Check it out on Shenton Road. The ditch was never there before.
To submit a bouquet or a beef to the Nanaimo News Bulletin, e-mail editor@nanaimobulletin.com.