No matter how quiet we try to keep it, word keeps getting out about our beautiful websites, outstanding customer support, and high ROI.

Opportunities are knocking on our door faster than we can knock them out of the park.

We're looking for a few good freelancers in the web and design field. Vancouver Island presence is a must, with bonus points for a qualified few that live in and around the Parksville/Qualicum Beach area.

Various skill sets are needed in the coding, content creation, website administration, social networking and design areas.

Immediately, we're looking for the following skills:

• Joomla
• Zoo and/or K2
• Photoshop/Fireworks
• Bug Zapping/PHP Coding

Some training is available and the intent is to use an initial run of freelance projects as an opportunity for you to show us what you got. The best of the bunch will be offered permanent full or part-time positions.

Send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or give us a call at (250) 752-GEEK.

The first article in a series looking at Qualicum Beach and the potential loss of our local high school, KSS.

Future articles will look at how we got here, the ripple effects school closure would have on the community, the hard choices we have ahead of us, how this has been handled to date, and what - if any - options we have to save our school.

Your comments, thoughts and suggestions are very welcome.

Simply put, I would not be here if KSS did not exist in Qualicum Beach.

Some may say that my absence would be no great loss to the community. I won't argue the point. I suspect that the town of Qualicum Beach would be able to muddle on without me.

But understand this; there are many young families that put down roots in this community for the same reasons that I did - Qualicum Beach is a great place to raise a family.

Having a quality community high school is a crucial part of that calculation. Subtract KSS from the equation and Qualicum Beach ceases to become an attractive solution for families with school-aged children.

While the absence of one genius web geek may be no great loss to the community, the collective impact of many young families making similar decisions would be devastating. 

Should KSS close its doors, we may see a mini-exodus of young families. A more insidious outcome, however, will be all the families who briefly consider moving to Qualicum Beach, appraise their options and find more family-friendly communities elsewhere.

We will, quite literally, never know what we have missed.

It's been three years since I came up with the Dr. Suess inspired name for my new web design firm, Geeks on the Beach.

In that time, the company has evolved; and so has our website mascot/logo - The Beach Geek.

It all starts with the spices:

• 3 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tbsp fine grind espresso
• 1 tbsp each: ground cumin, paprika and brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp each: salt, dry mustard, ground coriander, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, red pepper flakes, and freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 tsp cayenne
• 1 tbsp brown sugar

Add all of the above to a small frying pan, except for the brown sugar. Turning the spices often, heat over a low flame until the spice mixture begins to turn a darker shade of red. This is called "blooming" the mixture. It brings out the oils in the spices and turns up the flavor.

If you see any wisps of smoke, remove immediately - burnt spice isn't the smokey flavor you're after.

Transfer the spice mixture to a bowl and stir in the reserved brown sugar, mixing well.

At this point, your entire kitchen will smell wonderful.

1. I cook minute rice to al dente perfection in 56 seconds.
2. I have been trained in the ancient art of full-contact bonsai.
3. Sometimes, after the kids are in bed, I secretly replace their completed homework assignments with subversive beat poetry.
4. I breed genetically enhanced M&M candies for fun and profit.
5. Small animals appreciate the subtleties of my sarcastic wit.
6. When I am bored, I translate mime into braille for the colour-blind.
7. I once single-handedly defended the honour of a Moroccan midget using only a spork, two dixie cups, and a ferret.
8. My operetta for corduroy slacks has been performed on five continents.
9. I retroactively coined the phrase ahead of his time.
10. I am a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, served inside an enigma, smothered in cheesy goodness.

With nods to Hugh Gallagher, Winston Churchill, and M&M geneticists everywhere.