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What's on This Week on CHIR-FM

An interview with BC Green Party Leader Emily Lowan, features on the Pender Island and Saturna Island libraries, a conversation with Islands Trust Chair Laura Patrick, and a program celebrating motherhood are among the offerings lined up for this coming week on CHIR-FM, the Voice of the Gulf Islands. Tune in to 107.9 FM (or 102.1 FM in the South End) or stream the station online to hear more than 20 unique local programs. Monday (May 11) 8-9 a.m. On the Daybreak Dialogues segment of the weekday Morningtide program, host Dan Miller speaks with assistant SSI fire chief Ken Akerman about remembering the fire ban. There will also be a Dan-in-the-Street report on Saturday's Salt Spring Emergency Preparedness Fair. Tuesday (May 12) 8-9 a.m. On Daybreak Dialogues, an interview with Islands Trust Chair Laura Patrick. Tuesday (May 12) 1-2 p.m.: On This Song, That Time, the theme this week is motherhood and host Lesley Grott will include some stories about her mother. T…
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Converstions with MLA Rob Botterell: Housing Challenges and Land Security Fears

Fifteen joined this afternoon’s 2:30 pm ASK Salt Spring gathering to welcome MLA Rob Botterell. After his Acknowledgement during which he emphasized the critical importance of First Nations collaboration followed by a chance for each of us to introduce ourselves, Rob shared what “excited and delighted” him. Top on his mind at that moment was his delight that there was a non-stop ferry to Pender that afternoon leaving at 4:05 that would get him home early after a week away from home and his wife. Asking our permission to leave our gathering an hour early, he promised to give us his full two hours next time he visited, Friday, June 5. He also expressed his delight that this session of the Legislature, full of complicated issues, was nearly over with only eleven days to get its work done before the summer break. These 11 days are expected to be full and extending late into the night with much to be done, including: - Decisions on two Treaties before the legislature, - Next…
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Bikes & Boats; A Connected, Low-Carbon Future

What if our Archipelago were well connected by passenger-only ferries and safe, accessible walking and cycling pathways on every Southern Gulf Island? Imagine catching a small boat from Ganges—maybe even an electric passenger ferry like those now running in Norway and being piloted on the Sunshine Coast—bringing your bike along (or renting one when you arrive), and stepping onto a smooth, welcoming multi-use trail that leads you right into the heart of a village. This isn’t just a dream. It’s a vision already taking shape. The Salish Sea Inter-Island Transportation Society is helping lead the way through initiatives like Tour des Îles, Aqualink, and GoByBikeBC Week across Pender, Mayne, Saturna, Galiano, Salt Spring, and beyond this May–June. Across the Islands, communities are building pieces of a much larger network. On Pender Island, CRD and Moving Around Pender (MAP) recently completed a 2 km, three-metre-wide multi-use pathway connecting Magic Lake to th…
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B.C. Testing Emergency Alerts to Cellphones, TV, Radio

A test of the BC Emergency Alert system will occur at 1:55 p.m. (Pacific time) on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, during Emergency Preparedness Week. The test alert will be sent to all compatible cellphones and will interrupt radio and television broadcasts. The alert will be clearly identified as a test and will not require any action from the public. The test message to cellphones will resemble the following: “This is a TEST of the Emergency Alert system. This is ONLY a TEST. In an emergency, this message would tell you what to do to stay safe. This information could save your life. This is ONLY a TEST. No action is required.” To receive alerts, cellphones must be: - turned on - connected to an LTE cellular network - not set to “do not disturb” or airplane mode - wireless public alerting (WPA) compatible - within the alert area and have up-to-date cellular software - Strengthening emergency alerting in B.C. The alert is part of a national test of the National P…
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Capital Regional District reports on 2025 Grant Funding for the Electoral Areas

The Capital Regional District (CRD) has released its annual summary of grant funding delivered across the Juan de Fuca, Salt Spring Island, and Southern Gulf Islands Electoral Areas. These funding programs support a range of local initiatives, including community infrastructure, planning, recreation, arts and culture, and small‑scale community projects. In 2025, the CRD administered more than $1.1 million in funding across the three Electoral Areas through two primary programs: the Community Works Fund (CWF), delivered under the federal Canada Community‑Building Fund, and the Electoral Areas Grants‑in‑Aid (GIA). “Improving public spaces, ensuring local organizations have the capacity to provide community programs, and helping local governments plan ahead all contribute to healthier, more connected communities,” said Christine Boyle, Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs. “Our government will continue to support regional districts in working with communities and local…
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What’s On this Week on CHIR-FM

An interview with acclaimed author Kathy Page, recordings from the recent SoundGardens festival at Beaver Point Hall, an interview with the members of an exciting new musical project Zhinga, and a show featuring songs or bands with plants or vegetation in their titles are among the stimulating offerings this week on your community radio station CHIR-FM. Tune in to 107.9 FM (or 102.1 FM in the South End) or stream the station online to hear more than 20 unique local programs. Thanks to everyone who came out Thursday night to the Legion to help make the CHIR fundraiser a success. Highlights (followed by the schedule of local shows) for this week include: Sunday (May 3) 3-4 p.m. (or possibly Tuesday May 5): On Harmonic Expeditions, host Mike Chin shares performances form the recent SoundGardens festival at Beaver Point Hall organized by Of Sound Minds, created by Peter Hatch. Featured are a four-string improvisational performance; multiple digital/electronic eight-channel …
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Linda's List for May 1: Heat, Drought Alert

A quick note to alert you that this spell of warm weather may bring unseasonably hot weather to some gardens over the weekend, especially inland, away from the cooling influence of water bodies. Forecast highs of 27-28oC [though this is forecast for inland Lower Mainland, some gardens at higher elevation, on forested areas on SSI, like mine is, will likely experiences these highs] wouldn’t be a problem for mature vegetables in July, but could be fatal to germinating seeds and newly transplanted seedlings if they aren’t shaded. Opaque shade materials, such as burlap, white plastic, newspaper can be used to shade seedbeds until germination. But check every day and remove the cover at the first sign of tiny green shoots. If the weather is still very warm when you uncover the bed, replace the opaque cover with shade cloth that lets in 50% of light. Or shade the seedlings with turned over seedling flats (the black plastic latticework ones) or any other structures or screens that cut…
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Going for Gold: Salt Spring Island Student Wins Gold in Welding, Seeks Community Support to Compete Nationally

Gulf Islands Secondary student Antoine Gonzales has won gold in both the regional and provincial welding competitions at the Skills Canada Competition, earning him a place at the upcoming national championships. Antoine will represent British Columbia at the national competition, where top young tradespeople from across the country compete in their disciplines. His achievement highlights both his personal dedication and the strength of skilled trades training in the region. Antoine is an apprentice at Island Marine Construction and will be mentored for the competition by local welder, Kevin Huebert and the instructors from the Camosun Welding Department. To attend the national event, Antoine is working to raise approximately $12,000 to cover travel, accommodations, and competition-related costs. He and his supporters are now reaching out to local businesses, organizations, and community members for sponsorship and donations. Ways to support include donating funds or it…
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Webster Running for Electoral Area Director

My name is Brian Webster and I’ll be running for Salt Spring Island Electoral Area Director this October because I want to speak up strongly for Salt Spring and act on our community’s most pressing priorities. I’m an organic farmer and small business owner who has lived on Salt Spring since 2011. In my previous life, I worked as a freelance writer, editor and communications consultant. I’ve lived on B.C.’s south coast for almost my whole life. If you choose me as Electoral Area Director, I will bring to the position my experience, knowledge, energy and values. EXPERIENCE • Three-plus years as an elected Salt Spring Island Local Community Commissioner (current) • Seven years as a Salt Spring PARC commissioner • Past service on three Salt Spring non-profit boards • Thirty-plus years as a self-employed consultant and small business owner KNOWLEDGE • Serving on the LCC for the past three years has made me knowledgeable about our community and our local government…
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Astrology by Danielle Blackwood: Full Moon MAY 2026 (SCORPIO)

Each Full Moon brings its own wisdom, teachings, and medicine through the lens of a particular archetype. The Full Moon will often bring something to fruition and illuminate things that have been hidden. Each month we experience a subtle shift as the Full Moon highlights specific archetypal themes, emotions, and feelings. For many, the Full Moon amplifies the way we interpret and experience both our inner world and the world around us. Happy Full Moon in Scorpio! This year, the month of May is bookended by Full Moons. The first Full Moon coincides with the Gaelic agricultural festival of Beltane, on May 1st at 11° Scorpio (10:23 am). The second lunation of the month lights up the sky on May 31st, and because it is the second Full Moon in a calendar month, is known as a “Blue Moon”. Beltane is a Tairseach Naofa, or “sacred threshold”, signaling a liminal betwixt and between time that heralds the return of summer. Beltane marks the midpoint between spring equinox and …
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