Do you have someone to thank, or a peeve to get off your chest? Send it to BandB@comoxvalleyrecord.com

(Record staff reserve the right to edit or discard Beefs deemed to be libelous or mean-spirited.)

Although the post will be anonymous, include a contact name and phone number, because there鈥檚 a draw every week for a meal for two from Dairy Queen. This week鈥檚 winner: Chuck Chapman.

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TO MY NEIGHBOUR on Fifth street east for so kindly mowing and trimming my lawn for me. I just moved in and have no lawnmower. What a treat to have you as my neighbour Gunther, thanks a big bunch!!

IT IS A CHARMING, weathered park bench. Have you told friends and family that you stole it from the Japanese Town site in Coal Creek Historic Park? It was recently donated to allow visitors to rest and enjoy the peaceful surroundings and the decorative cherry trees planted in honour of the 31 families interned in 1942.

Shame on you.

I WILL GIVE three bouquets to the three people, (two men and one woman) who picked me up on Comox Ave. after I hit a planter and both my scooter and I fell onto the sidewalk. They stopped their cars and came to my aid, as I couldn鈥檛 even get my feet under me. The men lifted me up and the lady held me as they lifted up my scooter. Fortunately I only bruised my shoulder. Thank you all again!

IF ALL YOU DO is complain, many of your friends will become deaf. Bye from Dave.

BETWEEN 12:30 and 1 p.m. during the YANA Ride I had the very unpleasant experience of dealing with some of the cyclists. Extremely rude remarks and gestures from a large number of riders, plus two stopped to tell me I needed to move my car, as it was in a dangerous place to be parked and inconvenient to riders. Do you people not recognize flashing hazard lights when you see them? My car had broken down and I was waiting for a tow truck! I did not need the added stress from you. I have always tried to be courteous to cyclists when on the road. Not so much anymore!

BEEFS, BOUQUETS, even bowls full of laughter; whatever you like. My point is: a lot of people are of the opinion that cyclists don鈥檛 pay road tax (so they don鈥檛 deserve the same rights as motor vehicles). That鈥檚 a little naive; what about all those cars equipped with bike racks; don鈥檛 they require licensing either? Personally, I鈥檇 like to see licensing and insurance imposed on joggers and pedestrians; and I鈥檓 fairly certain ICBC would too.

A MASSIVE BOUQUET to everyone who assisted in the car accident on Aug. 17 on the Island Highway past Smith Road. I witnessed my mom and niece get rear-ended while waiting for them at my home. I am forever grateful for the kindness from strangers and a special thank you to the ICU nurse that stayed with my mom and another woman who was on the phone with 911 while I tended to my four-year-old niece. As well as a man who helped with so many things, especially controlling traffic so the first responders could come through.

Our community is blessed to have such wonderful first responders a huge thank you to them. I was in shock and wasn鈥檛 able to remember everyone鈥檚 names but a heartfelt thank you from our family, quick thinking can save lives.

THIS BEEF is for those people that let their big dogs do their business in the kids鈥� lacrosse box at Highland fields and do not take the time to clean it up. You are probably the same people that let the dogs do it all over the playing fields also. Take some responsibility for your animals.

WOULD THE scumbag who thought it was OK to steal my Maui Jim sunglasses rot in a very dark cold place. I was part of the Comox Valley Classic Cruisers car club that was supporting the Beat MS fundraiser at the A&W on Cliffe Avenue Aug. 24 between 5-7 p.m. They were not in plain site, you had to rummage through my private property to find them. Why leave a scrunched up A&W bag in their place? You are one sick individual, robbing someone who is fundraising for a worthy cause. What a shame we now have to lock up our cars when we have our cruise night at the A&W. You have ruined it for many.

A thought for equestrians riding their horses along Dove Creek Road: Have you considered dismounting from your horse and leading it through the dangerous stretch of road? That way if the horse bolts or panics you would have a much better chance of escaping without injury. Yes, maybe the stretch of road is dangerous and there are a lot of crazy drivers out there but one must take it upon themselves to stay as safe as possible and try to avoid potentially dangerous situations.

A BIG BOUQUET to the neighbours Ray and Jeff for helping Paul and Karen relocate Comox Valley Record distribution boxes on Tappin Street in Union Bay. A special thanks to Darren and Tabitha for allowing us to locate them adjacent to their property Many hands make short work.

A BEEF TO the federal and provincial governments. All Canadian governments think they are helping illegal drug addicts by setting up safe injection sites in many cities. It is beyond common sense to believe they are helping these people. What these addicts need is help to get off the illegal drugs or here is a thought don鈥檛 use them to start with. I don鈥檛 put all the blame on politicians. Some doctors also agree and endorse injection sites with the idea if drug users are in a safe environment they won鈥檛 overdose with these drugs, and if they do help is there on site. Save them so they can continue to use illegal drugs! Politicians don鈥檛 seem to care about the taxpayers who are paying for these sites or the safety of its citizens. I find it hard to feel empathy for individuals who knowingly use illegal drugs.

Why is it Canadians will gather by the thousands to protest racism however will not stand up and object to legalizing drugs and injection sites? I think it is time to stand up and say no more. Governments have lost their minds.

BIG BOUQUET to OK Tire. Tim and the boys had me back on the road in an hour. My mishap with muffler and a big rock while camping at Miracle Beach, only a memory now. Thanks for turning my frown upside down. Big hug.

I WOULD LIKE to send a huge thank you to Maureen and her husband for taking the time to call us after seeing our lost cat poster. Our beloved 15-year-old indoor Scooter decided to go on adventure for the first time in his life. He was missing for five nights when Maureen called me on her way out of town to let me know she thought our cat had been visiting her husband in the backyard for the past few afternoons. She graciously allowed us to go into her yard while they were away. Luckily the very first time we went into their yard to check Scooter was laying on their deck! Without their call I鈥檓 not certain when or if Scooter would have come home. So grateful to have our kitty home again!

A BIG BOUQUET to Mr. Horgan and his NDP government. As a Vancouver Island resident I can鈥檛 tell you how delighted I am that my tax dollars are going to be going to pay for Vancouver bridges.You may ask why I would be happy about this decision. While the answer is simple. Now that this policy is going to be the norm I have to believe that it makes common sense that the next move would be to make all island permanent residents exempt form ferry fares. Seeing the majority of the island residents are NDP supporters this should be a 鈥渘o brainer鈥� and all residents should be on their local MP to make this happen.Bring it on John! I will watching the mail for the application form to get my exemption card.

TO CYCLISTS riding the Courtenay Riverwalk will you please give warning to walkers on the path! My friend and I are two older ladies who enjoy our walks. Yes, we are slow. We are both mid-70s and try to get out, get moving, breath deep etc. When you come speeding up behind us, we don鈥檛 know you are there (some hearing loss) until we are startled and have to jump out of your way.I have already suffered a heart attack with resultant permanent damage to my heart muscle. The next one will take me out. Be kind. Let me enjoy my grandkids a little longer. Ring your bell, call out 鈥渃oming through鈥� 鈥� anything to give us warning. Or you just might find yourself calling 911.

RARELY ARE politicians recognized for their positive work. Three Cheers,at least three, to Area B Director Rod Nichol,who has taken the misery out of Misery Beach.Great job Rod!

NO LOCAL JOURNALIST deserves a bigger bouquet for past service to Comox Valley readers than Debra Martin, who we hear is retiring from her final post with the Record. Over very many years, Debra kept a deliberately low-profile to the public and her readers, but through the decades 鈥� for many years as Editor of the Comox Valley Echo 鈥� she constantly reminded her colleagues of the importance of deadlines; the need to cover hard news, particularly from local government, to ensure citizens knew what their elected officials and staff were getting up to and holding them to account; and ensuring a good mix of people-focused stories and community information in every edition. Job well done, Debra - you will be missed.

IT MIGHT SEEM odd to offer a bouquet to a funeral business, but Toneffs certainly deserve it after the respectful and considerate way they handled a recent death in our family. They were chosen as a truly local business, and they delivered the simplest service as requested by the deceased, but with total sensitivity and absolutely no pressure to add anything to the arrangements that would increase costs. Indeed, they even pointed out ways to reduce expenses to the minimum without any loss of dignity. We were impressed.

RD-ELECTED board members that represent the tax payers please be sure that the budget that was laid out for the AAP for the office is kept at that cost, it should be turned down if it is any more than the 11.3 million. Once and for all, remember we are watching!

RD STAFF please don鈥檛 take the AAP for as an endorsement that taxpayers support the building of your new office. It only means that the process you used was sort of honest and ethical and not easy for people to cast their vote, as well some people were totally unaware that this was even happening. One quote was, are they for real, we need water and sewer long before an office! So the yes elected votes are out of touch with their constitiuents.

ONCE UPON A TIME, all the animals in the forest got together and agreed that it was too tiresome to walk down to the brook for a sip or water, or stroll out into the meadow to get something to eat. They all decided that it was in their best interest to drill deep holes in the strata, if not undersea, and draw up an assortment of noxious petroleum products to fulfill their shortsighted vision; even though a few spills were bound to take place and the air would turn sour. This way, instead of using their legs for mobility, they could sit in comfort or even drive like maniacs; simply blowing their horns at anyone that gets in their way. Sound familiar? What we really need is for someone to invent a machine that converts carbon monoxide into fresh air at a phenomenal rate. Bonus points to the design that powers big prestigious status symbols.

The Vancouver Island Mountain Sports Society (VIMSS) would like to thank all the sponsors and local businesses who helped make the Night of White on August 26th, 2017, at the beautiful 40 Knots Estate Winery, a success!

we are startled and have to jump out of your way.I have already suffered a heart attack with resultant permanent damage to my heart muscle. The next one will take me out. Be kind. Let me enjoy my grandkids a little longer. Ring your bell, call out 鈥渃oming through鈥� 鈥� anything to give us warning. Or you just might find yourself calling 911.

RARELY ARE politicians recognized for their positive work. Three cheers,at least three, to Area B Director Rod Nichol,who has taken the misery out of Misery Beach.Great job Rod!

NO LOCAL JOURNALIST deserves a bigger bouquet for past service to Comox Valley readers than Debra Martin, who we hear is retiring from journalism. Over very many years, Debra kept a deliberately low-profile to the public and her readers, but through the decades 鈥� for many years as editor of the Comox Valley Echo 鈥� she constantly reminded her colleagues of the importance of deadlines; the need to cover hard news, particularly from local government, to ensure citizens knew what their elected officials and staff were getting up to and holding them to account; and ensuring a good mix of people-focused stories and community information in every edition. Job well done, Debra - you will be missed.

IT MIGHT SEEM odd to offer a bouquet to a funeral business, but Toneffs certainly deserve it after the respectful and considerate way they handled a recent death in our family. They were chosen as a truly local business, and they delivered the simplest service as requested by the deceased, but with total sensitivity and absolutely no pressure to add anything to the arrangements that would increase costs. Indeed, they even pointed out ways to reduce expenses to the minimum without any loss of dignity. We were impressed.

RD-ELECTED board members that represent the taxpayers please be sure that the budget that was laid out for the AAP for the office is kept at that cost, it should be turned down if it is any more than the 11.3 million. Once and for all, remember we are watching!

RD STAFF please don鈥檛 take the AAP as an endorsement that taxpayers support the building of your new office. It only means that the process you used was sort of honest and ethical and not easy for people to cast their vote, as well some people were totally unaware that this was even happening. One quote was, are they for real, we need water and sewer long before an office! So the yes elected votes are out of touch with their constitiuents.

ONCE UPON A TIME, all the animals in the forest got together and agreed that it was too tiresome to walk down to the brook for a sip or water, or stroll out into the meadow to get something to eat. They all decided that it was in their best interest to drill deep holes in the strata, if not undersea, and draw up an assortment of noxious petroleum products to fulfill their shortsighted vision; even though a few spills were bound to take place and the air would turn sour. This way, instead of using their legs for mobility, they could sit in comfort or even drive like maniacs; simply blowing their horns at anyone that gets in their way. Sound familiar? What we really need is for someone to invent a machine that converts carbon monoxide into fresh air at a phenomenal rate. Bonus points to the design that powers big prestigious status symbols.

The Vancouver Island Mountain Sports Society (VIMSS) would like to thank all the sponsors and local businesses who helped make the Night of White on Aug. 26, 2017, at the beautiful 40 Knots Estate Winery, a success!

BEEF TO WHOEVER is supposed to be looking after the grounds at the new hospital. They鈥檙e going to have to get the farm equipment out to 鈥渟wath鈥� the field that is growing or should I say is dead. The trees that were planted are also looking grim without any supposed care. It鈥檚 a shame that this new facility that is set to open soon is definitely missing 鈥渃urb appeal鈥�.

IT WAS DISTRESSING to me to read in last week鈥檚 paper that some people are still releasing balloons to celebrate the life of a loved one. On the surface it seems like a lovely ritual. However, there is a very dark side to it. The balloons eventually fall back to earth. Not only do they litter both land and ocean but they kill birds, animals, and mammals either be ingestion or entanglement in the strings and ribbons. They die an unnecessary and cruel death. Ironically what is meant to celebrate the life of one, kills others. There are other earth-friendly ways to celebrate, whatever the reason.

I HAD TAKEN a older friend to Walmart to do some grocery shopping. We came out an hour later, I had left my lights on and my battery was dead. I popped open the trunk, only to find that my jumper cables were nowhere to be found. As I stood there pondering the situation, a young man from who works at Kal Tire came up to me, said he would run back to the shop and be right back to give me a boost. And he did! I don鈥檛 think he was five minutes. Nathan got the car started in seconds and won our hearts even faster. What a beautiful, kind and generous young man! He gave us free service with a smile, all out of the goodness of his heart. What super great people we have in the Valley and how lucky was I to meet one of the best people here. Thank you, Nathan, 100 times over.

BOUQUETS TO THE Comox Valley Pickleball Association (CVPA) volunteers who organized National Pickleball Day at Lewis Park on Sunday Aug. 13. This event was open to the public and had people of all ages participating in lessons and games. Twelve pickleball courts were being used simultaneously on the tennis courts and practice court. Thank you to Courtenay Rec for allowing this event to be held at this venue which could accommodate the 110+ people who participated in this fun event.

BEEF TO THE Crown Isle resident who trumpets that he/she pays 鈥渕ore taxes than the majority of the Comox Valley.鈥� If you don鈥檛 want to be seen as a 鈥減ampered elite鈥�, then don鈥檛 act like one.