Local Listings

View More Ads

Latest Local News

Islands Trust announces recipients of the 2022 Community Stewardship Awards

Islands Trust Council announced the recipients of the 17th Islands Trust Community Stewardship Awards at its June 23nd meeting in Victoria, British Columbia. Trust Council recognized six individuals and one organization for work that supports the Islands Trust’s mandate to protect and preserve the Trust Area and its unique environment and amenities. The recipients’ activities include land conservation, trail network development, forest restoration, community service, collaborative stewardship, public outreach and education, and advocacy work. “The Community Stewardship Awards are our opportunity to celebrate and acknowledge community members for their commitment of time, energy and ingenuity to helping preserve and protect the Islands Trust Area,” said Peter Luckham, Chair of the Islands Trust Council. “The diverse nature of the work of the nominees and the impacts of the projects in which they have been involved are outstanding. We drew inspiration from their dedication and…
Read more about Islands Trust announces recipients of the 2022 Community Stewardship Awards

Lady Minto Hospital Foundation to begin renovations on new staff housing

The Lady Minto Hospital Foundation bought the old Seabreeze Inne back in March in order to build critically needed hospital staff housing to address the 35 vacant positions that threaten our hospital! We rented the building to BC Housing as requested, to give them over three months leeway to transition folks out of the building. Our volunteer housing committee of the hospital Foundation got to work immediately so that all the drawings, permit applications and plans were ready so that deconstruction could begin in early July. The Foundation has retained the construction manager for the project and with deconstruction permits in hand, work is scheduled to begin in early July! Andy Allen, owner of Western Medical, the construction manager for the project says; "I'm super excited to be contributing to this community and overseeing this important renovation. We've come full-circle. My company's first job ever was building the pharmacy in Lady Minto Hospital 17 years ago. Th…
Read more about Lady Minto Hospital Foundation to begin renovations on new staff housing

Heat alert, Carrot Day arrives; spring diseases

The first day of summer is here and it is drizzly and cool again, but there IS a forecast of warm sunny weather coming at week’s end. For vegetables, the forecast highs of 24-27C [75-80 F] for much of the region (hotter than that up the Fraser Valley), constitutes a heat wave. Plants have been growing for so long in cool, moist, cloudy conditions that leaf tissue is soft and unprepared for hot weather. Should the heat materialize, before you head out for beach or barbeque, take time to rig up shade on seedlings, seedbeds, cool weather crops (peas, lettuce, young plants in the cabbage family). Any plants with large, soft leaves (squash, beans, leafy greens) could experience sunscald injury, especially at the highest temperatures. So keep your shading materials handy (shade cloth, latticework, lace tablecloths) for rapid deployment and watch the weather forecast. We haven’t been thinking about watering until now, but don’t forget to check that soil isn’t getting too dry. Every…
Read more about Heat alert, Carrot Day arrives; spring diseases

‘Love Local’ across the Southern Gulf Islands - Enjoy Mayne Island

All spring, the Chambers of Commerce from Galiano, Mayne, Pender, Saturna, and Salt Spring have been ‘island hopping’, showing local residents how to shop, eat, and stay where their hearts are— here in our interconnected island communities. Our last stop on this Southern Gulf Islands tour is Mayne Island, and just in time to plan your own island hopping adventure with Tour Des Iles this weekend, June 24-26. S,ḴŦAḴ, the SENĆOŦEN name for what we call Mayne Island in English, is both peaceful and active, offering meaningful recreation year-round. Among its eclectic and welcoming residents, you’ll find boating, hiking, biking, nature touring, shopping, dining, beach combing, and just "chillin", as the islanders say. The passion for supporting local is especially strong here so be sure to peruse its many galleries and studios scattered around the island; head to Terrill Welch Gallery for landscape paintings, Water’s Edge Silver for nature-inspired sterling silver jewelry, and Qu…
Read more about ‘Love Local’ across the Southern Gulf Islands - Enjoy Mayne Island

Support for the firehall continues to grow - MP Elizabeth May urges 'Yes' vote

Support for the proposed new firehall continues to grow. Provincial MLA Adam Olsen and CRD Director Gary Holman have both expressed their support, along with the Chair of Transition Salt Spring, Bryan Young, who said “Transition Salt Spring encourages islanders to take steps towards climate change resilience by voting in favour of the new firehall in June.” Now Salt Spring’s popular Green Party Member of Parliament, Elizabeth May, has publicly urged people to vote yes in the referendum to borrow $9.7 million. “I am writing in support of the proposed new firehall project on Salt Spring Island. I generally do not take a position on local issues that fall outside federal jurisdiction; however, we know that more emergency situations are likely to arise due to the climate crisis. It is critical that the Salt Spring Island community seizes this opportunity to be better prepared for emergencies and extreme events. This proposal must be accepted. Salt Spring Island is in di…
Read more about Support for the firehall continues to grow - MP Elizabeth May urges 'Yes' vote

BC Nature wants Fulford estuary restored

Opposition to the proposed Vortex resort at the site of the former Fulford Inn has grown from a rumble to a roar as the public becomes more informed about the details of the project. Most recently, BC Nature, a highly respected and influential group representing 6,000 naturalists throughout British Columbia, came out firmly against the project. An official letter to the Trust has called for the estuary to be restored to its natural state: “BC Nature, a federation of more than 50 naturalists’ clubs with 6,000 members throughout BC, believes that the natural health and wealth of B.C. is essential to a sustainable future. BC Nature writes in support of our member club, Nature Salt Spring, to express our shared concerns about the proposed Vortex development in the Fulford Estuary on Salt Spring Island. “The Vortex project, as proposed, threatens the biodiversity of Fulford Estuary and the ecologically sensitive, significant fish-bearing Fulford Creek. Vulnerable populations o…
Read more about BC Nature wants Fulford estuary restored

Obituary: Ted Harrison

Ted Harrison — January 2, 1940, to June 10, 2022 In His Own Words … "I have always been an active, independent, caring individual and with few exceptions, have lived a full, privileged, purposeful life blessed by family, friends and opportunities to pursue ever-arising interests. Tennis, squash, sailing, kayaking, long distance cycling, gardening and farming have been major pursuits in my life in addition to my rewarding career in the civil service. As my health challenges grew over the past decade, I continued to enjoy community volunteering, bridge, reading, crossword puzzles and an active social life. My beloved wife, Susan (Evans), and my two wonderful children, Marybeth and Mark, are the most valued relationships I have ever enjoyed. I love them dearly. They have given my life purpose and meaning. Friends and other family have played important roles as well. In recent years, my health has continued to decline and my experience has become one of chronic pain, diminish…
Read more about Obituary: Ted Harrison

Mental Wellness - "Culture of Care" - What would it mean to you to be included? To have your voice heard?

The following is a reflection shared by Bernice Rahm, a participant in summits held in April by the Salt Spring Mental Wellness Initiative (MWI). The MWI has held six summits since January of 2022 focusing on growing Peer Support and Volunteer Counselling on Salt Spring. What would it mean to you to be included? To have your voice heard? To have your lived experience valued and acknowledged alongside the opinions of professionals? To be included regardless of capacity, qualification or degree - just honoured for your willingness to give your energy and voice in authenticity? This is a little of what it felt like to participate in the recent Mental Wellness Initiative Summit. What I experienced was the purposeful commitment to using a "Culture of Care" - something that, at our core, we all crave - and from our cultural conditioning and family history, few have experienced. In participation with the 26 people who attended I experienced active encouragement and an invitat…
Read more about Mental Wellness - "Culture of Care" - What would it mean to you to be included? To have your voice heard?

View More Articles