Experience something completely different during this Fall Fair weekend. On Saturday, stop by the Ganges Fire Hall between 9am and 4pm and step into a portable earthquake simulator ― the Shake Zone! Discover what a magnitude 8.0 earthquake feels like while you’re in a safe, controlled environment. The Shake Zone ― owned by the Insurance […]
On Friday, September 8, Salt Spring Literacy hosted a celebration because it had three reasons to celebrate: its tenth anniversary as a society; International Literacy Day; and its new premises on Rainbow Road, next to the OutSpokin Bike Shop on Rainbow Road. Cake, snacks, and refreshments were served while Literacy staff and board members gave […]
Here are the official, preliminary, incorporation referendum election results. These results were posted tonight by Anthony (Tony) Kennedy, Salt Spring’s Election Officer. The final, official results still need to be verified by the Chief Election Officer before they are confirmed as final. Ballots were counted by hand while the full process was reviewed by scrutineers […]
The streets of downtown Ganges were transformed by Pride this afternoon. In the spirit of diversity and inclusion, hundreds of people gathered, creating a sea of colour, and paraded to celebrate the 13th annual Salt Spring Pride. This year’s theme, A World of Pride, is about bringing awareness to issues of diversity and inclusion “here […]
The Capital Regional District (CRD) has purchased three lots totaling three acres (1.21 hectares) for park purposes off of Stark’s Road on Salt Spring Island. The lots have been purchased through the Salt Spring Island Parks and Recreation Commission (PARC) Park Land Acquisition Fund for $34,500. “The acquisition not only connects two trail networks but […]
As August’s temperatures drop, the Fall Fair comes to mind. I can almost smell the corn-on-the-cob and the pies. I can nearly hear Country Grocer’s Spin to Win wheel and the local talent on stage. And in my mind, I’m walking through the barn and looking at the exhibits. This year’s Fall Fair theme is […]
This year’s Salt Spring Island Pride Festival ― the 13thth annual ― is going to be yet another incredible celebration of diversity and inclusion. Join in from September 6 to 10 for one of BC’s most unique Pride events! This year’s theme, A World of Pride, welcomes you to join in on the celebration of […]
Country Grocer’s third Customer Appreciation Sale of 2017 finished last week. It was 8 days of great prices, a 3-day seafood sale, a salmon BBQ, and numerous community groups working like clockwork with the front-end staff. Chef Michael’s barbequed salmon with tasty marinades was a splash as was the fresh-off-the-boat salmon sale. Country Grocer is […]
British Columbia is facing historic fire conditions and extremely hot dry weather. The fires burning in the Cariboo and other regions are still very active and concerning to all. For the past four weeks members of Salt Spring Island Fire Rescue have been helping in the fight against these raging fires. Members are working a […]
On July 1 and 2, something spectacular happened. Approximately 800 people visited the Blackburn Lake Nature Reserve to attend the inaugural Art & Nature Fest. They listened to live music, participated in guided walks and workshops, walked a labyrinth, and essentially enjoyed themselves in nature. On August 7, from 3pm to 9pm, the Art & […]
On the evening of Friday, July 28, members of the Salt Spring Community gathered for the 100 Men March for Community Care & Safety. The march was organized by a group of men and facilitated by David Norget and Robert Birch. Although organized by men and for men, the event welcomed all genders. The purpose […]
UPDATE – July 29th – On Friday July 28th, Salt Spring Island Fire Department sent two fire fighters to Williams Lake to help with the wildfire suppression efforts in the area. Fire fighters Jason Gaffney and Dustin Bean will be assisting in our reserve Fire Tender in the region. After a long week Firefighters Eric […]
It seems impossibly soon, but it’s true! Country Grocer is having yet another Customer Appreciation Sale, starting Sunday, July 23 through to Sunday, July 30. As a continuation of its celebration of 45 years serving Salt Spring Island, you have another 8 days of catching great sales. Speaking of great catches, Friday, July 28, is […]
Art and photography fans are about to experience a rare treat. Despite the difficulty in finding film and the distance one must go to develop film, film photography is alive and well on Cedar Lane. Osman Phillips’s photography show begins August 5 and ends August 7 at his Cedar Lane Studio. Thirty-six photos capture close-ups […]
Salt Spring artists among the best in Canada… Six Salt Spring artists have been selected as finalists for the Salt Spring National Art Prize (SSNAP). They are among the fifty artists from across Canada eligible to win one of eight awards totalling $30,000 and take home the prestigious Salt Spring Prize (Joan McConnell Award) of […]
Earlier this week at BC Ferries’ Richmond refit facility, the wrap adorning the hull of Salish Raven was unveiled to Musqueam First Nation’s Thomas Cannell, who designed the artwork that was revealed in February of this year. Coast Salish artist Thomas Cannell’s design depicts the beauty of the powerful, intelligent raven. His bold vision of […]
Nestled in the trees, a miniature home sits on wheels like a modern-day gypsy caravan. But this is no camper: it’s a tiny home, fitted with fine West Coast craftsmanship, to scale. Built by Salt Spring Eco Homes, the home is one of a dozen innovative ‘properties’ being showcased this Sunday, July 30th on the […]
Queen of Nanaimo to continue providing service to Southern Gulf Islands until later this year – The second of BC Ferries’ three new vessels, Salish Eagle, will officially commence service on Wednesday, June 21, at 9:10 a.m. on the Tsawwassen – Southern Gulf Islands route. Salish Eagle is the second of three new Salish Class […]
Take a tour of Salt Spring’s most innovative green homes, farms and gardens! An inspiring self guided day trip featuring innovative West Coast homes, off-grid living, tiny homes, permaculture landscapes, and more! Talk with homeowners and contractors and get practical tools to build, refit or modify your home & garden for a smaller footprint and […]
Imagine a warm summer day. Diamonds sparkle on the lake and birds chatter in the trees. The faint sounds of music reach your ears, and as you come around a group of trees, you encounter a yoga class just starting. You’re invited to join. In the distance, a crowd gathers around a one-woman show, and […]
On Sunday July 30th, come to Salt Spring Island and get inspired by innovative examples of eco-building, renewable energy technology, tiny homes, and sustainable living. “We challenge you to come away from this tour without an action plan for your own home and garden,” says tour organizer Elizabeth White. Not limited to homes, the Eco-Living […]
Salish Eagle will enter service on the Tsawwassen – Southern Gulf Islands route in June. Sister ship, Salish Orca will start service on the Comox – Powell River route late next month. Salish Raven, the third Salish Class vessel will begin preparations for service soon. The 107-metre Salish Class ships will carry 145 vehicles and […]
Ten community groups signed up for shifts to wrap groceries during Country Grocer’s 45th birthday week last week. Their presence contributed to the feeling of teamwork and light-heartedness that you may have noticed at the tills. Wrapping your groceries at Country Grocer is a way that groups raise funds as each group receives a donation […]
Dragonfly Commons is a local not-for-profit initiative spearheaded by Fernando and Tami dos Santos, with a lot of help and community support, to bring about an innovative solution to our local workforce housing shortage. The proposal is for home ownership of small homes in an secluded eco-friendly development on Drake Road, walking distance to Ganges. […]
You may have seen the 29-seat bike making the rounds in Ganges on Tuesday, May 30. Several Salt Spring community groups rode through the rain to help raise money for Heart&Stroke. The best part? Everyone had a whole lot of fun! In 25 years of fundraising across Canada, the Heart&Stroke Big Bike has raised over $100 […]
If you’ve been on Salt Spring for a while, you’ll know it was once GVM and before that K&R. Whichever name you call it by, this grocery store has been serving Salt Spring Island for 45 years. Country Grocer is celebrating its 45th birthday with a Birthday Week Sale, starting May 29th. Come partake in […]
The Salt Spring Island Foundation is pleased to announce over $90,000 in grants for local charities. These grants would not be possible without the support of our many generous donors, who share the Foundation’s vision of a healthy and caring community. Island Pathways For a kiosk with maps and interpretive information, signage, a bench and […]
Salt Spring Reads is an online book club/review. For this column I try to find books that you might love to discover, books with a Salt Spring connection. Reviewed books are available at the Salt Spring Library and in local bookstores. Feel free to share your comments to discuss this book online with others. The Consequence […]
A total of 148 local groups benefit from Country Grocer’s Save-A-Tape program, which totals about $100,000 year! Save-A-Tape began with GVM back in 1993. The program allows shoppers to give 1% of the pre-tax total on their receipt to the organization of their choice. All you have to do is put your receipt in the […]
What a wonderful weekend at the fall fair again this year. Thank you to all the organizers who did such a wonderful job creating a beautiful and fun fair for our island. Here are some highlights of the zucchini racing, just one of the great events of the weekend.
Featuring some of the Best New Work in Canada~ Known internationally as Canada’s premier arts colony, Salt Spring Island will host the Gala Opening of the 2017 SSNAP Finalists’ Exhibition on Friday, September 22 from 6:00 to 9:00pm. The Salt Spring National Art Prize (SSNAP) has built a national platform for Canadian visual artists and is fast becoming the largest, […]
Experience something completely different during this Fall Fair weekend. On Saturday, stop by the Ganges Fire Hall between 9am and 4pm and step into a portable earthquake simulator ― the Shake Zone! Discover what a magnitude 8.0 earthquake feels like while you’re in a safe, controlled environment. The Shake Zone ― owned by the Insurance […]
On Friday, September 8, Salt Spring Literacy hosted a celebration because it had three reasons to celebrate: its tenth anniversary as a society; International Literacy Day; and its new premises on Rainbow Road, next to the OutSpokin Bike Shop on Rainbow Road. Cake, snacks, and refreshments were served while Literacy staff and board members gave […]
Peter Luckham, Chair of Islands Trust Council, made the following statement regarding the decision of the September 9, 2017 referendum with preliminary results showing 62 per cent voted against Salt Spring Island incorporating into a municipality. “The Islands Trust Council congratulates the community of Salt Spring Island for exercising its democratic right on September 9, […]
Adam Olsen, MLA for Saanich North and the Islands, issued the following statement in regards to the outcome of Salt Spring’s Incorporation Vote. Salt Spring Island voted against incorporating as an island municipality this past weekend. “Over the past couple of years Salt Spring Islanders have been discussing how their community is governed. It has […]
The incorporation referendum is now over, complete with a clear community “no” decision on the option to incorporate. It is now time to recognize and thank many who have been involved: The Provincial Government, through the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development (now the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing) not only provided financial […]
