An early morning break-in at Simon's Cycles in Comox remains under investigation after two men fled the scene Thursday morning in a stolen boat.

According to RCMP Const. Tammy Douglas, police were dispatched to the Comox store after receiving a call around 4:40 a.m.

"A stolen truck was found backed up in front of the store, the front window broken and the security bars bent," said Douglas. "A second stolen vehicle was located behind the Comox Legion. Witnesses stated two males, both with dark hair and wearing all dark clothing, were responsible for the incident."

Mounties report that the men left the Comox Valley after stealing a boat from the Comox Marina. It was recovered in the Campbell River area after 7:30 a.m. along with some stolen property.

An RCMP canine unit was sent from Comox to Campbell River to track the thieves, but nothing was found, the trail going cold by the time the dog arrived to pick up the scent where the boat was ditched on the shoreline.

If you have any knowledge about this break-in and thefts, you can remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS. A reward is offer ed up to $2,000 for any information leading to an arrest. Police don't want your name, only your information.

Meanwhile, local police are dealing with a rash of dirt bike thefts in the Comox Valley.

"It appears someone has been targeting primarily Honda dirt bikes," said Douglas. "There have been five taken in the last month and a half, with two of them stolen July 29."

Mounties are asking for the public's assistance to find the individual, or people, responsible for these thefts.

If you have any information, contact the Comox Valley RCMP at 250-338-1321.

news@comoxvalleyrecord.com

The Riding Fool Hostel in Cumberland is celebrating five years in business this Saturday.

When asked to reflect on the years, owner Jeremy Grasby said, “We’ve learned a lot, had some great times and met some amazing people. We created a great facility here but it’s the guests who make it, they bring the energy and without that energy it’s just a building.

“It’s a lot of fun not just running a hostel but realizing your dreams.”

The hostel has had its successes along the way, most recently being voted as the “local pick” for Lonely Planet BC Edition and described as “one of the best hostels on Vancouver Island.”

In 2005, the Riding Fool was awarded the New Business of the Year Award by the Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce and Business of the Year by the Cumberland Chamber.

During the years, Valley band Sixgun Buddha has been the soundtrack to the Riding Fool anniversaries, and this year is no different.

After a year-and-a-half hiatus, the local rockers are ready to start tearing it up again Saturday at the hostel’s anniversary celebration.

Joining them once again are local DJs Soulshock and Upsidedown Ninja. Nova Fire will perform.

Tickets are $15 in advance and are available at Tarbells Cafe, Sound Advice, Orbitz and at the door. Doors at 9 p.m., 19+ID. For more information, visit www.sixgunbuddha.com.

— Riding Fool Hostel

You’re welcome to celebrate Bike to Work Week, have some fun and support a worthwhile cause.

World Community Bikes will host Cycledelic, a fast-peddling evening of dance and entertainment on Saturday, June 7 at the Lower Native Sons’ Hall.

Artists will include acoustic guitarist Amber McAlonan and her original alternative-folk style, and the newly formed three-piece band Booty and the Hofish, whose style can be described as a fusion of bluegrass and hip hop.

The dance portion of the evening, featuring DJs of varying styles, will begin with local DJ Upsidedowninja and his down-tempo, jazzy style of spinning. Next up will be Scotty Soulshock’s hip hop scratch and Glenn Wildes’ mix of styles. Adil Amlani, originally from Montreal, will perform urban house mixes to round out the night.

Tickets are $10 each, with a limited number at $5 for low-income or students, and will be available at the Freakin’ Coffeeshop on Rosewall Crescent or at the door. There will be door prizes, food and a no-host bar.

Doors open at 8 p.m.

Profits from the evening will help send a container of bicycles collected by World Community Bikes to Nicaragua. The group would like to thank the entertainers, who are all local, for volunteering their time and talent.

For more information, call Jansz at 338-0229.

— World Community 

BC Hydro is sending out a public safety warning this weekend, but this time it’s about something other than the quick-running water of the Puntledge River.

Trees will be removed in the area between Comox Dam and Puntledge Diversion Dam. Because of the trails in the area, BC Hydro is warning people to pay attention to signs, and expect some closures and delays on the paths.

The hazard tree removal will begin this Monday and continue for about two weeks, said Stephen Watson with the company’s community relations.

“This is a bit of a catch-up,” he said about the removal process, which began with a danger-tree assessment by certified arborists earlier this year.

About 90 per cent of the trees to be removed are already dead, said Watson, and they will finally be able to access some of the damaged areas from the 2006 storm season.

No overall number of trees to be removed could be provided. They will continually monitor, he added, to ensure that trees aren’t felled into the water.

THe area will not be fully closed, said Watson, which is why they’re asking for the public’s diligence in considering safety on the trails. Contractors will be on hand to help with trail-users, and signs will be posted, but Watson said the best way to avoid issues is to avoid the area all together until mid-June.

Meanwhile, they’re adding once again a warning for the river flows this weekend. BC Hydro will be spilling water from the dam to provide optimum river levels for the annual kayak festival.

Staff say the flows will be too high for anyone other than experienced kayakers to be on the water.

reporter@comoxvalleyrecord.com

By Colleen Dane - Comox Valley Record - May 30, 2008