You are invited 7:00 PM, November 3rd, 2015 to a book launch of Briony Penn’s newest book, The Real Thing: The Natural History of Ian McTaggart Cowan at Artspring. This book is an official biography of Ian McTaggart Cowan (1910–2010), who revolutionized the way North Americans understood the natural world and is known as the “father of Canadian ecology.” He was no stranger to the suppression of scientists or challenging pipelines – all before most of us were even born. He pioneered nature television in its very earliest days and later hired David Suzuki. From his formative years roaming the mountains around Vancouver looking for venison to his last years co-editing the voluminous and authoritative Birds of British Columbia, Cowan’s life provides a unique perspective on a century of environmental change—with a critical message for the future. Penn will be joined by Cowan’s former students, Bristol Foster and Bob Weeden, in an entertaining evening celebrating the life of …

January is a time for new beginnings, whether it be a new exercise routine, a new hobby or class, a change in diet, or, in my case, an opportunity to write a monthly food column for the pleasure of your perusal. It is certainly a time to reflect on the past year and a time to look ahead to what’s to come. It’s also when we can sometimes wish we hadn’t eaten quite so much over the holidays. I think it’s best to accept your seasonal indulgences with great vigor and no remorse. Out with the old, in with the new! For many people who wish to reinvent themselves in the new beginning of the year, exercise is the starting point. I think physical fitness is important and everyone owes it to themselves to be responsible for taking care of their body. Along with physical conditioning, diet plays a vital role in the levels of success you can achieve. I am by no means a calorie counter; in fact, I do not restrict my food choices in any way to appease a dietary regime. My first and …

Active transportation: cycling, walking, running, using a mobility aid. Because May 26 – June 1 is “Bike to Work” week, but any time is a good time to get out of your car and get to where you’re going under your own steam. Bike to Work Week serves to raise awareness and provides an ideal time for people to try active transportation for their first time. To register, go to www.biketowork.ca . Under “communities” choose “Salt Spring and other Gulf Islands” and follow the prompts from there. Any problems or ideas: just get in touch with Jan (local BtWW coordinator) at janslakov@shaw.ca . There are lots of ways to participate even if you don’t use active transportation. For instance, come to the “Happy Pathday” appreciation event for the new pathway along Lower Ganges Road: Saturday, May 24, 11 AM at the bus stop across from Country Grocer. Instead of driving around Ganges looking for a spot to park, leave your car where there’s more parking and enjoy the walk into town…

Rotarians around the world, including the Salt Spring Island Rotary Club, have all worked hard and been very good this year. We deserve lots and lots of presents. We only want one gift, dear Santa; help to prevent all children in the world from suffering from polio. Santa, you know we have worked hard to stop polio since 1985 and we have been 99 % successful! We saved more than 10 million children from crippling paralysis. We immunised over 2.5 billion children. We eradicated polio in all but 3 countries: Afghanistan, Nigeria & Pakistan. Our progress to the end goal, though, is at risk when the polio virus in these countries is imported to formerly polio free countries. Imagine, Santa, our horror with the news on October 24th, 2013, World Polio Day, when we learned of the outbreak of polio in Syria. Syria had been polio free since 1999. The civil war in Syria meant many children under the age of 2 were not vaccinated against polio. Now the polio virus is …

Wanted everyone to know about a new project here at Salt Spring Exchange. Over the coming weeks and months we will be launching a series of maps so that our community and visitors are aware of the locations of key community resources. We have a bunch of really great maps planned but here is the launch of our first. This one we're calling Health & Emergency Services map and it contains all locations of our local firehalls, police station and most importantly, locations of all our automated external defibrillators in the event of heart attack emergency. Take a look at the interactive map and click on the icons for additional information. Have a safe and happy weekend: Christopher Roy Founder | Account Director Salt Spring Exchange

As you would likely have heard by now, there was a devastating accident yesterday that claimed the life of a local child. Her mother and sister are still listed in critical condition. The Singh Family Trust has been established at Island Savings Credit Union in downtown Ganges to support the family following yesterday’s devastating automobile accident. The trust will aid in supporting the family during this time of loss and healing. Thank you for your generous contributions. In addition, you can now donate online using the services of local crowdsourcing service ShareSpring. This is our opportunity to step in as a community and ensure that at least they might not have to worry about their finances and the considerable costs of recovery. We do not know if a fund has been setup for the other driver involved in this accident at this time, but we will share information as we learn more about how to support him as well. Also, we graciously thank all those emergency respo…

The attached Advisory Notice has been issued by VIHA on March 7th, 2013, indicating that toxic algae may be present within St. Mary's Lake. Please read the notice and for further information contact www.viha.ca. VIHA informed resorts that beaches will be posted due to microcystin exceeding 20 micrograms/liter mostly directed at the boating and fishing community because swimming season will not commence for a few months.

On Sunday, March 10 at 2 am, most Canadians will move their clocks forward an hour as we transition from Standard Time to Daylight Time. Although it means a lost hour of sleep, it's also a sign that the spring season is near. This change in time was first implemented as a way to save energy. By moving the clock ahead by one hour in the spring, it changes a person's daily schedule and allows them to use less power and light during the evening hours. With increasing darkness during the fall and winter months, areas return to Standard Time at 2 am on the first Sunday of November. Since the late 1960's Saskatchewan has not observed Daylight Time and remains on Standard Time all year round. As you move your clock ahead one hour, officials say it's best to change your smoke alarm batteries at the same time. “Smoke alarms double your chances of surviving a fire," says Carol Heller, a home fire safety specialist. "That's why it's so important to never tamper with the bat…

The Salt Spring Island Local Trust Committee welcomes feedback about the new Salt Spring Riparian Areas video exploring: What is a riparian area? Why are riparian areas important? And, How are riparian areas currently protected on Salt Spring Island?

While we've been beavering away here this winter on new projects like the Salt Spring Calendar, the Exchange quietly passed another fan milestone on Facebook. Eight thousand+ people are now following the journey of stories, news, events, listings and photos that are published on Facebook. In celebration, we're sharing a photo from one our fans. Just one beautiful image of this beautiful island in thank you for being part of the Salt Spring Exchange. Thank you to our 8,000+ fans, who now join the 4,000 people who use the Exchange every day. Under the clouds, the sunrise - Photo by Susan Edison.