Duane's World

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Forest Fire Air Quality & Your Health

Your Health and Air Quality?
Notice how hazy it is over the Sunshine Coast right now? With Air Quality Advisories for forest fires on the East Coast of Vancouver Island plus the Sea to Sky Corridor, it's important to ensure our seniors, youth, pets & family are protected.

Air Quality
http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/epd/bcairquality/index.html

Forest Fire Danger
http://bcwildfire.ca/weather/maps/danger_rating.htm

The Howe Sound Corridor and the Strait of Georgia act like funnels and cauldrons to swirl our air and winds around. There are no borders here. This underlies why a clean healthy planet is so important to all of us and the future.

Helpful Health Tips:
Avoid strenuous outdoor activities. If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, contact your health care provider: difficulty in breathing, chest pain or discomfort, and sudden onset of cough or irritation of airways.

READ
Tribute to Emergency Services for BC Day.

Exposure is particularly a concern for infants, the elderly and those who have underlying medical conditions such as diabetes, and lung or heart disease. People with heart or lung conditions should reduce their levels of activity while air quality is poor. These individuals should watch for worsening of their symptoms.

If this happens, they should reduce their exposure to the smoke and contact their health care provider, walk-in clinic or emergency department for advice.

To speak to someone immediately about your health concerns, contact HealthLink BC, available toll free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 8-1-1, or via the web at: http://www.healthlinkbc.ca/kbaltindex.asp Forecast weather conditions over the next few days are expected to reduce smoke concentrations to safer levels.

Satellite image of fires on BC mainland and smoke tracking to... on Twitpic

Don Power posted this satellite image of the smoke over our area.

Tips to reduce your personal health risk:

• People with heart or lung conditions may be more sensitive to the effects of smoke and should watch for any change in symptoms that may be due to smoke exposure. If any symptoms are noted, affected individuals should take steps to reduce their exposure to smoke and if necessary see their physician. People with symptoms should go to their health care provider, walk in clinic or emergency department depending on severity of symptoms.
• Use common sense regarding outdoor physical activity – if your breathing becomes difficult or uncomfortable, stop or reduce the activity.
• Stay cool and drink plenty of fluids.
• Smoke levels may be lower indoors, however levels of smoke particles will still be increased. If you stay indoors, be aware of your symptoms.
• Consider visiting a location like a shopping mall with cooler filtered air. Keep in mind that staying indoors may help you stay cool and provide some relief from the smoke, however many air conditioning systems do not filter the air or improve indoor air quality.
• Reduce indoor pollution sources such as smoking or burning other materials.
• You may be able to reduce your exposure to smoke by moving to cleaner air. Conditions can vary dramatically by area and elevation.
• Residents with asthma or other chronic illness should activate their asthma or personal care plan.
• Pay attention to local air quality reports, air quality may be poor even though smoke may not be visible.
• Commercially available HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filters can further reduce poor indoor air quality near the device.
• Maintaining good overall health is a good way to prevent health effects resulting from short-term exposure to air pollution.
• For general information about smoke and your health, contact HealthLink BC available toll free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 8-1-1, or via the web at:
http://www.healthlinkbc.ca/kbaltindex.asp.
• Real-time air quality information in B.C. is available at http://www.bcairquality.ca.

Food safety and water quality tips:

• During a forest fire, it's also important to be aware of health risks associated with food
safety in power outages and water quality.
• Interior Health's website contains helpful information and other resources related to forest
fire smoke exposure / air quality, as well as food safety when the power is out and ensuring
your drinking water is safe.
• Visit http://www.interiorhealth.ca, click on the Health & Safety tab at the top of the page, then follow the links for Emergency Information > Forest Fires.

Many thanks to the Government of British Columbia for having this information ready to share. Duane

LINKS
http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/epd/bcairquality/index.html
http://www.healthlinkbc.ca/kbaltindex.asp
http://www.interiorhealth.ca
http://www.bcairquality.ca
http://bcwildfire.ca/weather/maps/danger_rating.htm

It's Always A Good Day on the Sunshine Coast!

http://duaneburnett.com
http://duaneburnett.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/duaneburnett

Duane's Facebook Profile
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=570266071

Duane's Facebook Fan Page
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Duane-Burnett/132243609016?ref=ts

Sunshine Coast BC Canada facebook FAN PAGE
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sunshine-Coast-BC-Canada/109315035764459

Sechelt Arts Festival Success

The Sechelt Festival of the Arts over the BC Day long weekend, wrapped up for another year on the Sunshine Coast, BC. The annual event was held July 30th - August 7th 2010, and celebrates all forms of art at many locations in Sechelt.

Organizer, Elaine Tweats Hunter writes:

We celebrated the culture on the coast wonderfully this weekend, what a great success this festival was. Hundreds of participants in free workshops, a steady flow of visitors and locals enjoyed the entertainment in Hackett Park , Rockwood Gardens and the Festival Pavilion .

Elaine's "Sechelt Festival of the Arts" PHOTOS
http://s72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/tweaty23/Sechelt%20Festival%20of%20the%20Ats/

Allison Crowe sang for an appreciative audience in the SCAC and we are so blessed to have been able to enjoy her extraordinary talent.

Deanna Cartea, Maureen Bodie , Katherine Hume entertained at the opening receptions for hundreds of people.

Steve Wright, Skye Wallace and Deanna Cartea sang in the festival Pavilion while young entertainers were on stage in Hackett Park, MCD, Charlotte, Connor , Maya and Esme, Katherine Rowlands gave their all to the crowds. JP Makosso, Gerardo, Story Theatre, The Cornpones, Korean Drum team were highlites at Hackett Park

The chalk art competition was a huge success with 50 chalk drawings in the sidewalk on Cowrie st. Families created together while visitors form the US created their art with the US and Canadian flag as the central theme.

The Cornpones provided music to dance and listen to while the chalk drawings were created. Thanks to Gerardo and Liz Freund for their fun during the chalk art competition, Plaques were well received as prizes at 4 pm.

Carnival Era closed the entertainment with a magical celebration party and BBQ in the Rockwood gardens.

Sechelt Nations provided an opening and closing ceremony with their ambassadors Xwamstut on the Pier at Tory Gate They made drums, demonstrated weaving, carving, beading and painted faces artistically in Hackettt Park. Visual arts will be on display in the Seaside centre and SCAC until Aug 7th

The festival was a huge success and enjoyed by thousands.

LINKS
Sechelt Festival of the Arts

Facebook Fan Page
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sechelt-Festival-of-the-Arts/122854847737717

Website
http://www.secheltfestivalofthearts.com/

Elaine's "Sechelt Festival of the Arts" PHOTOS
http://s72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/tweaty23/Sechelt%20Festival%20of%20the%20Ats/

Elaine's Blog
http://homeoftheblog.blogspot.com/

It's Always A Good Day on the Sunshine Coast!

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Habitat Hoedown Raises $7,000

Billy Hillpickers Bring it On for Habitat

The toe-tapping tunes of the Billy Hillpickers and an abundant Southwestern BBQ served up by Chef Spencer Watts drew a colorful and enthusiastic crowd to the Gibsons’ bluff last Saturday night. The first annual “Habitat Hoedown” was indeed a fundraiser to remember with a sell-out crowd representing some of the Coast’s most passionate community supporters.

Habitat Chair Gwen Hawkins and husband Ed sported fetching smiles and dusted off their cowboy boots to welcome long-standing supporters and new friends. Artist Todd Clark and Carol Marlowe came in the full spirit of the event as Buck and Daisy Mae, winning the prize for best costume. Sandy Cliffe, Gibsons Bottling Depot, and co-worker Angel were also in full Appalachian spirit and the fortunate winners of the Delta Whistler Suites grand prize which included horseback riding, spa services and dinner at Hy’s Whistler.

Mayor Barry Janyk’s message of appreciation for Habitat’s commendable efforts toward affordable housing was read by Councilor Wayne Rowe, and special guests from Industrial Alliance were proud to witness overflowing appreciation for their sponsorship. Habitat is looking forward to the completion of the first of seven duplexes by year-end, providing more homes for Sunshine Coast families. “Habitat Hoedown” hosts Ron and Deborah Pepper are extending a whole-hearted thank you to everyone who contributed to the more than $7,000 raised for Habitat families.

Deborah Pepper, Fundraising Chair
Habitat for Humanity Sunshine Coast
http://habitatsc.ca/
140 PHOTOS
http://www.flickr.com/photos/duaneburnett/sets/72157624502044719

SLIDE SHOW

It's Always A Good Day on the Sunshine Coast!

Saturday, July 31, 2010

What's Special About BC?

Forest Fire in Sechelt, BC. The Province. Photo Duane Burnett

The Vancouver Province asked this BC Day Long weekend 2010 "What's your Favourite person, place or thing from B.C.?"

To me this British Columbia provincial holiday is a great time to recognize the men and women on the front lines of emergency services!

e-Street: What's your favourite person, place or thing from B.C.? The Province July 31, 2010

This B.C. Day weekend I celebrate the men and women of our great province in emergency services: the police, fire, ambulance, hospitals, social services, forestry services and search and rescue who give so much of themselves throughout the year. Thank you!

— Duane Burnett, Sechelt

Read more: http://www.theprovince.com/Street+What+your+favourite+person+place+thing+from/3344025/story.html

Happy BC Day! Duane

It's Always A Good Day on the Sunshine Coast!

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Why Seniors Should Social Media

Once you get the hang of the in's and out's of facebook, youtube and twitter, I think most Seniors who are anti-social media will find endless delight. The KEY is family support. Not only does it offer tons of games, videos, music and fun, its a great way to connect with friends and loved ones.

Some of my friends upload photos and video of the grandchildren, and what sweet Grandma isn't going to love seeing Suzy at her first recital almost instantly thanks to the internet and online video.

Others use the internet sites like facebook and twitter with great success for their local businesses.

Sunshine Coast's Best Social Media
http://duaneburnett.blogspot.com/2010/07/sunshine-coasts-best-social-media.html

I have encountered some community groups in my social media learning curve who scoffed at my offer to do a facebook event page for them. "Why would anyone possibly want an event page on facebook, what's the point?" they exclaimed, the board says "No!" The "board" this person confessed was made up of seniors who had disdain for facebook and social media and saw no purpose for it.

I went and made the facebook event page anyways, and if I remember correctly, over 500+ people clicked attending.

But what to do when the Sunshine Coast, BC is currently over 50% seniors? I think we need to reach out more and help in any way we can to make social media fun for seniors, even if that means me conducting workshops on how to make a facebook profile.

I decided that I had to go to an expert. I talked with Bob D'Arcy who runs the Sechelt Seniors and Gibsons Seniors websites. I asked him about his experience with social media and people 55+.

Bob loves the internet and does website design as well as helping people keep their computers in good technical running order. His websites for seniors on the coast are excellent and informative resources for our community.

Updates and maintenance for your PC
http://www.secheltseniors.com/help_comp.html

Bob told me straight up that in his experience here on the Sunshine Coast it is problem enough to get Seniors to even look at a website or do email.

He says it all goes back to the family.

Does the family help the senior with getting started? Show them how? Give them perhaps a second hand computer to become familiar with the internet?

Security concerns, whether warranted or not, is the main stumbling block he hears a lot from seniors fearful of all the media hype about facebook stealing your soul.

Bob thought he might make his website accessible for the cell phone set, but discovered many seniors keep their cell phones in the glove compartment for emergency purposes only.

He was happy that things are changing, that his seniors websites are gaining credibility. Bob pulled up some stats for me, which showed there were an average of 350 unique visitors a month in 2009 but in 2010 that number has risen to 400. Good news.

So I asked Bob, what are seniors doing for entertainment and where are they getting their information? "The phone and socializing at the mall" he said.

I teased him that the teens have left the malls, are now on facebook and seniors have taken over the roost and hanging out like mall rats. We both laughed. But you know what, he agreed.

When I look at my friends online, my senior friends, I am amazed at how well they have embraced social media and really enjoy it.

In the article Social Media Minute: Seniors Embrace The Web By Jason Harris, "a new study put out by the American Association of Retired Persons, or AARP, says baby boomers are quite comfortable online, are engaging in sites such as Facebook and love being on their computer."

An article by Mashable called Why Your Grandpa Is on Facebook cites a recent survey by the
American Association of Retired Persons on social media use.

The AARP spent some time last month interviewing 1,360 adults over the phone. The Association found that more than a quarter (27%) of Americans age 50 and older use social networks. Facebook is the most popular — in fact, 23% of all survey respondents said they preferred it to sites such as MySpace (MySpace), LinkedIn (LinkedIn) and Twitter.

When I look at the stats for the Sunshine Coast BC Canada fan page on facebook it shows that my social media networks have an excellent cross section of all ages and in the 45-55 age bracket 15% and 55+ 9%. Compare that to the 13-17 year old at 12%; 18-24 at 24%; 25-24 at 19%; and 35-44 at 18%.

Definitely I think that could be higher for the 55+ group but its understandable considering the resistance I have found from some seniors to social media, especially with all the invasion of privacy doom and gloom over hype in the media.

I think with the encouragement of friends, family and grand kids, more seniors would enjoy the social opportunities of facebook.

The stats and internet use seems to point in that direction. They say more seniors are getting hip with facebook and twitter, and most importantly loving it!

All in the Facebook family: older generations join social networks by CNN states that one of the main reasons is families are scattered around the globe, and social media brings them together.

One of the driving reasons more seniors are loving facebook is that fears over privacy issues are being dealt with as the learning curve of this new online social network matures.

A simple thing is to just not allow the year you are born to be public.

One of the big issues with facebook lately is using your information for directed advertising. Basically what is happening is facebook notices you really love heavy metal rock, so it directs unobtrusive ads more in theme with that. I think that is way better then getting tons of ads wanting you to go to see the opera when it just ain't your thing, but if ACDC is coming to town you know about it right away.

I do realize there are some definite differences on privacy between youth and seniors, but facebook allows you to set these to your liking. For myself, I allow everything to be public, and so does most everyone else.

If you want to look at photos of me swimming in the ocean, a recent play I was in, or behind the scenes of a video shoot I was acting in no problem. I think this is only fair when I ask people to be open with me as I cover their lives and stories as a photo journalist.

I would really like to hear your thoughts on seniors and social media. I think facebook would be an even better place with more of them joining us. The question is how?

Thanks so much for reading my blog and all your comments, feedback, story ideas and support. Best Wishes! Duane Burnett

It's Always A Good Day on the Sunshine Coast!

Saturday, July 24, 2010

Sea Cavalcade Parade Rockn' N' Rollin'

300+ PHOTOS: Rockn' N' Rollin' by the Sea.

The 2010 Gibsons Sea Cavalcade Parade shined this year with amazing floats and lots of bright colours. The theme this year was Rockn' N' Rollin' by the Sea, and it didn't disappoint. Some really good efforts and very creative floats.

TAKE ME TO THE PHOTOS PLEASE

I have uploaded 320 photos to my flickr website so you can go check them out there, OR you can watch the slide show presentation below & crank up your favourite tunes.

At the Logging Sports competition during the Gibsons Sea Cavalcade on Sunday, there was an accident involving a young man with an axe not wearing shoes. You do the math on that one. People were talking about it on my facebook profile, but I was at the Roberts Creek Community Mandala blessing at the time.

My friend, Videographer, Marc Buzzell took some video of the fireworks Friday night and the parade Saturday. He is the guy behind the On A Break and Oil BP music video parodies.

Links, Video, Full Winners List, Comments & Slide Show Below! scroll down...

Winning First Place Sea Cavalcade float in the Clubs and Associations category and First Place Overall was the Driftwood Players theatre troupe where Little Shop of Horror meets Christmas Pantomime. More pics of them in the parade galleries....

Driftwood Players facebook fan page
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Driftwood-Players-Present/496427595327

Sea Cavalcade Winners
Bands
Enniskillen Accordian Band.

Clubs and Associations
First Place – Driftwood Players
Second Place – Gibsons Family Network
Third Place – Good Samaritan Society

Commercial
First Place - Sunshine Coast Credit Union
Second Place – London Drugs
Third Place – Kenmac Parts

Restaurants & Pubs
First Place – Benjamins Café
Second Place – Leo’s Tapas & Grill

Youth and Child
First Place – 1st Gibsons Scouts
Second Place – Muskota Language Int
Third place – Yaakar

This year the judges also nominated three overall winners across all categories:

First place overall
Driftwood Players

Second Place
Sunshine Coast Credit Union

Third Place
Gibsons Family Network

Even Mayor "Elvis" Janyk got in on the fun! Love it when his lips do the Elvis snarl, oh and that funky hip twirl of his could scramble 12 dozen eggs. It's always a treat to see how Barry outdoes himself in the parade year after year.

And EXTRA bonus point thanks to Councilor LeeAnn Johnson for showing me some leg!

Friday night I was thrilled to fly with the Fraser Blues Aerial Demonstration Team and you can check out the photos and slide show for that below too. Breathtaking shots of the Sunshine Coast from the air.

"Come Fly With Me" as we take sharp curves, bends and twists along the beautiful Sunshine Coast, BC and over the Sea Cavalcade Opening Ceremonies where we blew up a boat!

Gibsons Sea Cavalcade 2010 PHOTOS Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/duaneburnett/sets/72157624573150576/

Come Fly With Me Fraser Blues
http://duaneburnett.blogspot.com/2010/07/come-fly-with-me-fraser-blues.html

Watch Slideshow of Sea Cavalcade Parade 2010
tUrn Up tHe tUneS!

LITTER HERO'S
And last but not least, what do you make of this? I spotted these two young gentlemen cleaning up a horrible plastic mess of a disaster left by people watching the parade?

WOW this hit a nerve. I have posted COMMENTS below....

Happy Sea Cavalcade Gibsons! FLASH back links from previous parades below.

Enjoy! Duane Burnett

FIREWORKS VIDEO

Sea Cavalcade, Fireworks, Gibsons Landing BC - July 23rd, 2010 from Marc Buzzell on Vimeo.

PARADE VIDEO

Sea Cavalcade Parade, Gibsons Landing BC - july 24th, 2010 from Marc Buzzell on Vimeo.

COMMENTS
Duane Burnett
KUDOS to the two young gentlemen I snapped a photo of at the Sea Cavalcade Parade who were picking up a disgusting mess of garbage and plastic left behind on the curb by people watching the parade today. I mean honestly! Does the Earth look like a freak@n floating garbage can in space for you to trash???? Well done guys!

Sonia Nazar
Those boys are awesome!

Penny Berdahl
Thats sad some people can walk away from that mess.......Makes ya wonder what they live in :( Its awesome to see those young men cleaning it up...Good work gentleman :) God is watching your good deeds :)

Christine Moore I agree with you Duane!
It`s like the brainless people beside us that let their little girl(2 or 3?)run out on the road and nearly get hit by a parade car!what the Hell !The woman driving was in tears!2 parents 1 kid !how hard is it ?????

Cheryl McNevin Baron
Anyone know these boys? They should be publicly recognized. We need to encourage that type of behaviour. Duane - maybe you should turn that into a contest. Identify the boys so you can give them tix to Charlie St. Cloud.

Mary McAllister
That sounds like a really great idea!

Rachelle Gardner
I agree shift our youths to be more aware of our earthly responsibility. My son made me laugh the other day...there was a big rubber tire in the water (sechelt inlet) he dragged in the big tire 45 min process the ran into the house so exci...ted to share mommy mommy look I saved the earth...I pulled a garbage tire out of the water to save the fish! Our kids know...we just have to make it more of a celebration than a chore.

Darla Deter
I agree so much with that Duane!!!

Wild Rose Razga
holy cow! that's an awful lot of trash!

Jeffrey Paleczny
Great events this weekend! But I did notice people leaving lots of trash. I work for town and know we don't have a magic or even big crew that can come along (on weekend) to clean it all up. Remember "Give a hoot don't pollute" from like 2 decades ago. I picked up a whole bunch of stuff from the parade too and was surprised at people.

Duane Burnett
thanks for the comments and likes. reminds me of the 2 fist fulls of plastic I picked up off the beach and Sechelt we are feeding that poor whale. OPEN WIDE! http://duaneburnett.blogspot.com/2010/07/its-whale-of-plastic-picnic.html

Noreen McCarron- Tretick
Is it so difficult to pick up after yourself, I'm not your mother!Come on folks, have some pride in your surroundings:)

Noreen McCarron- Tretick
ps. hats off to those boys!

Carole Sauve
Awesome youths. They would be a great example to other youths of the community and adults too. Thanks Duane for sharing. Take care. ♥

Heather Till good for you, guys - fine young citizens you are, indeed !! and thanks, Duane, for making it known

Duane Burnett
this photo has had 161 views since in about 1/2 day.

Sea Cavalcade
FLASH BACK PHOTOS

Gibsons Sea Cavalcade 2010 PHOTOS Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/duaneburnett/sets/72157624573150576/

Sea Cavalcade 2009

http://www.flickr.com/photos/duaneburnett/sets/72157621894167336/

Sea Cavalcade 2008 Gibsons BC
http://www.flickr.com/photos/duaneburnett/sets/72157606404613833/

Sea Cavalcade Parade 2007 Gibsons, BC

http://www.flickr.com/photos/duaneburnett/sets/72157602223126489/

Sea Cavalcade Parade 2006
http://www.flickr.com/photos/duaneburnett/sets/72157602459357168/

It's Always A Good Day on the Sunshine Coast!

Friday, July 23, 2010

Come Fly With Me Fraser Blues

Fraser Blues Aerial Team 2010

THRILL FLY!

WOW what a rush! Seems like a blur and 300 photos of the Sunshine Coast, BC from the air later. LOL

Duane Burnett flying with the Fraser Blues

I think I got a photo of just about every inch of the Sunshine Coast, BC from Sechelt, Roberts Creek, Gibsons, Langdale, Keats, the Strait of Georgia, Howe Sound!

Thank you so much to the Fraser Blues.

I had the pleasure to co-pilot with Gord Ball in his plane the Iron Eagle.

I have put together a slide show which you can sit back and experience the flight with me, PLUS I have pulled together photos from the archives in this blogspot article to give you different angles over the years of the boat blowing up.

SEE 300+ PHOTOS ON FLICKR LINK

Flickr Photo Album Link
http://www.flickr.com/photos/duaneburnett/sets/72157624444040347/with/4822329325/

SLIDE SHOW
of my flight with Fraser Blues at Sea Cavalcade
cRaNk you're fAvouRite TuNes Up and enjoy!

They were total professionals and gentlemen. We are so lucky to have them apart of the Gibsons Sea Cavalcade tradition!

Smoke on! Swooping down on Gibsons Harbour.

Tonight we kicked off the Opening Ceremonies with a fly past over Gibsons Landing Harbour, and blowing up a boat, thanks to the special effects crew from the Stargate television series!

View from Soames Hill. Fraser Blues bomb the boat.

The Gibsons Coast Guard Auxiliary Search & Rescue Unit responded to a realistic simulation of an explosion and fire onboard a vessel. The boat was rigged with special effects and an underwater cable pulled it into an adjacent boat causing the explosion roughly as the Fraser Blues flew over to simulate the bombed it with a missile. The Search and Rescue Crew surveyed the scene, formulated a rescue plan and assist with the cleanup of the debris.

Boat Goes BOOM! View from Soames Hill.

It all happened at precisely 6:55pm, in Winegarden Park.

The Fraser Blues are part of the Sea Cavalcade community celebrations Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The team is led by a former Canadian Forces Snowbirds Lead, and fly 1940's vintage L-17 "Navion" aircraft. With three ex Fighter Pilots, and two General Aviation pilots, The "Blues" provide a unique demonstration of close, dynamic formation flying in aircraft available to the average GA pilot.

View from Fraser Blues after the fly over.

I had a blast as a guest of the Fraser Blues during the Sea Cavalcade Weekend 2006. I checked back on what I wrote then, I remember feeling rather sick to my stomach from the strong g-force created as the planes banked left and right like they were in a real fighter jet dog fight.

We took much the same route again this year. The team took off from the Sechelt Airport in Wilson Creek and followed the coastline to Gibsons where they swooped into the harbour down low and did some loops and twirls and all that hurls.

Afterward we did some major banks and curves chasing each other over Bonniebrook like we were in a World War II dog fight before heading home.

It was really special for me as my parents met in in the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) back in the 1950's, at the Trenton, Ontario base.

What a terrific fabulous time and thank you Fraser Blues you are absolute gentlemen!

Fraser Blues Team Riding in the Sea Cavalcade Parade

The Fraser Blues are one of the few civilian formation flying teams in Canada.

Leading the team is retired Colonel George Miller who, today, is manager of the Langley, BC, airport. For more than 35 years he was a member of the Royal Canadian Air Force, flying F-86 Sabres and CF-104 Starfighters in Europe, and with the Golden Hawks, Canada's first jet military aerobatic team. George went on to become a team leader of the Canadian Snowbirds.

Guy Miller, from Abbotsford, BC, flies in the number two position (lead's right wing). Guy is a former CF-18 Hornet fighter pilot and instructor, and a former Cathay Pacific Airways 747-400 line pilot and simulator instructor.

In the number three position, on lead's left wing, is Clive Barratt. With 65 different aircraft types flown, Clive is a former Canadian Forces instructor pilot, search and rescue pilot and accident investigator. Today, he flies for an airline and lives in Chilliwack, BC.

In the number four position (line astern) is Gord Ball, from Abbotsford, BC. Gord is a former CF-104 pilot and retired airline captain. During his career, he flew many aircraft including Huey helicopters, 737s,727s, DC-8s and DC-10s.

In the number 5 position (second line astern), is Willie Paterson, a civilian pilot and flight service specialist in the Nanaimo, BC, control tower. Willie first learned to fly in Scotland when he was working as a deep-sea diver off the coast of Norway. With a father who was an aircraft mechanic, Willie learned how to start an airplane long before he ever learned how to start a car.

View from the air of Gibsons getting ready for fireworks!

Thank you again to the amazing hospitality and generosity of the Fraser Blues. Thanks for reading my blog. Your Comments & LINKS below...

Happy Sea Cavalcade everyone!
Best Wishes, Duane Burnett

COMMENTS

Anne Kacoullas Hartman
Hi Duane, I just went on a virtual flight with you. What a trip!
Your photos are stupendous!!! Thanks for sharing with us.

Christine Moore
Saw you go over!!! did you see me wave ???

Don Heinrich
that is EPIC that you got to fly with them. Way to go. The pics I saw look amazing.

Kim Kerr Fenton
i was doing a wedding rehearsal when they flew over. such fun!

Dave Gardiner
The soundtrack possibilities are endless...

Christine Moore
Thanks Duane ! You leave me Breathless!!!

Deborah Ficko
Thanks Duane.. You leave me.. envious!! :)

Christine Moore
Should submit some of those pictures to C T V !!! SoOoOo Amazing!

Jackie Lee-Coyle
we waved at you! haha!

Cassandra Langlois
i'm jealous Duane... i have been taking pictures from the ground for years... i fantasized about getting aerial shots.. soooo cool! :-)

Diana Gledhill-Park
Was it you that won the contest to fly with them? So thats pretty good you have your stomach in tact;)

Penny Berdahl
Thats awesome!!!!

Shelley Harrison Rae
Duane you need a new blog called What will he be doing next!!!!!

Carole Sauve
They just flew over Woodcreek Park 30 seconds ago.

It's Always A Good Day on the Sunshine Coast!

Back in 2006 Duane Burnett is a Guest of the Fraser Blues. SEE the photo archives http://www.flickr.com/photos/duaneburnett/sets/72157602461708843/with/1593270842/

Fraser Blues PHOTOS

Fraser Blues Aerial Team 2010
http://www.flickr.com/photos/duaneburnett/sets/72157624444040347/

Fraser Blues Aerial Team 2006
http://www.flickr.com/photos/duaneburnett/sets/72157602461708843/with/1592390073/

Sea Cavalcade
FLASH BACK PHOTOS

LINKS

http://www.seacavalcade.ca

http://www.fraserblues.com/

http://stargate.mgm.com/