Transition Salt Spring’s Repair Cafe a Huge Success Submitted by: Transition Salt Spring’s Climate Coach Transition Salt Spring’s Climate Action Coach hosted their first “rethink waste” event of the year on Saturday. The Repair Cafe defied the snow and cold with resounding success! Nearly 120 community members braved the weather to have their cherished items repaired—typewriters, sewing machines, lamps, toasters, guitar straps, torn leather jackets, and ripped pants were among the 100+ items expertly handled. A heartfelt thank you goes out to our dedicated volunteer fixers and organizing committee for orchestrating yet another memorable event. However, the Repair Cafe transcends mere item repair; it's about fostering community, sharing stories and skills, and reclaiming our sense of possibility through collective action. While not every item found was fixed, the collective effort underscores our capacity for impactful change through small steps together. Our excep…

One Saturday in 2022, Yael Wand was at the farmer’s market in Ganges and came upon a group of high school students playing music. As a musician herself, Yael knows good music when she hears it, and she thought the band, 19 Strings, was so good that she booked them as an opening act for the annual Summer Concert Series she had created in her role as executive director of Salt Spring Arts. This opportunity “opened a whole bunch of doors” for the young musicians, Yael says. “Supporting people who have that creative thing and want to bring it forward” is one of the things Yael has loved about her job with Salt Spring Arts. She explains, “We work to make sure this is a great place for artists to live. We work to make sure that community members can access the arts, that there’s great events and opportunities to participate in, and a big focus is on reaching young people and inspiring creativity.” As you may have heard, after 10 years of making her mark on Salt Spring Arts …

Join Country Grocer and the Salt Spring Exchange in celebrating Love on Salt Spring Island for Valentine's Day! Enter our ‘Island of Love' photo contest for a chance to win one of three wonderful prizes to help you celebrate your love. To enter the contest, all you have to do is upload a photo of you and your sweetheart(s) using the form below. Show us your love! Whether you’re young and ecstatically in love, or in your 90s with a twinkle in your eye whenever you see each other, whether you’ve taken your “flirt” down a few notches over the years or you’ve taken your flirt up a few notches, share it with your community! Country Grocer is once again donating 3 prizes this year, just enter via the Salt Spring Exchange and you’ll have a chance to win: First Prize: Dinner for two at Hen & Hound’s Feast Restaurant on Feb 14 with wine pairings - all in value of $500! Second Prize: Country Grocer gift basket - Champagne and Chocolate (if over 19 years of age) …

December 6 Twenty joined this ASK Salt Spring gathering welcoming the Chuan Society. After a heartfelt Territorial Acknowledgement, we began our conversation by learning about the Chuan Society. A recent ASK Salt Spring guest, you may want to reread that report: https://saltspringexchange.com/2024/07/03/ask-salt-spring-welcomes-the-chuan-society/. The Chuan Society was founded in 2017 to address access and equity barriers through collective action. “Chuan” is a corruption of the original Hul’qu’minum name for Mt. Tuam, a sacred space meaning “sweeping down to the sea.” While the original intent was to honour the island’s original place names, Chuan Councillors (similar to Board members but guided by collective agreements rather than hierarchic rules) have since considered renaming the society. Since their founding seven years ago, evolving awareness has convinced them that the use of names is a culturally sensitive process involving permissions, consent, and respect. T…

During the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, leading up to the December 6th Memorial, we speak with Stella Grand, a recent GISS graduate and passionate youth activist. 35 years after the massacre at École Polytechnique in Montreal, Stella’s work on updating sexual violence policies in secondary schools is a powerful continuation of the fight against gender-based violence. Stella Grand took her passion for creating safer student environments into her own hands by founding the Wellness Initiative for Student Empowerment (WISE). Despite the challenges, Stella is committed to this cause, working multiple jobs to fund her initiative. You might spot her selling chocolates and ice cream at Harlan's or as a barista at the Tree House, all to support the work she deeply believes in. "I have ADHD and realized early on that university might not suit my learning style," she explains. "So, I chose to dedicate my time to this project and see if I can make a change now."…

November 22 Note: Islands Trust has asked us to note that, concerning Bracket Springs discussed at our November 15 ASK Salt Spring gathering, “The current zoning allows for one single family dwelling and up to 10 affordable housing units.” (Thanks for your help, Islands Trustees and staff.) November 22 Twelve joined this ASK Salt Spring gathering to welcome our local media. Joining us were Colin How and Leslie Ash, new owners of the Salt Spring Exchange; Gail Sjuberg, Gulf Islands Driftwood editor; and Damian Inwood, President of our soon-to-be-live local radio station, CHiR.fm. After our Territorial Acknowledgement offered by Damian, we asked each of our guests what “excited and delighted” them. Damian began by giving us an update on CHiR.fm's progress going live. Currently, CHiR.fm has nearly completed its month long live test from its tower on Mt. Belcher. Broadcasting for 24 hour broadcasts, in five-hour repeating segments per day. The purpose of this four-week test…

Usually, when a restaurant hits on a winning formula, it’s time to double down. But for Mateada owner David Karr, it was the opposite, a time to shut down. In September, after a successful season pairing South American cuisine with a music lounge based around yerba mate beverages, he pulled the plug on the restaurant and regular event bookings. He had a proven concept that could be replicated elsewhere, which was his original plan. However, despite some notions to the contrary, the story of Mateada in Ganges seems far from over. Talking to David last Friday, it was good to be back inside the venue. Even empty, Mateada feels warmly exotic, like being transported someplace far away you’ve always wanted to go but didn’t know how to find. The ambiance and intimate space along with great sound made it a special place to see some of the 350 performances booked by artistic director Tommy van Deursen over the past few years. Musicians enjoyed playing there, including being put up in…

November 15 Nine joined this ASK Salt Spring gathering to welcome Cherie Geauvreau, the heart and soul of the Copper Kettle/Wagon Wheel team. After offering a loving Penelakut greeting as our Territorial Acknowledgement, we began learning about the work of the Copper Kettle/Wagon Wheel Housing Society . When asked what “excited and delighted” her, Cherie did not pause: writing poetry gives her great joy, proud of the poetry book she published. Also “excited and delighted” by connecting Salt Springers, she and her team have been serving those in need for nearly a quarter of a century. Since 2002 when Copper Kettle Community Partnership was established, Cherie and her hardworking team have been connecting those who are isolated and feeding those in need, one victory at a time, year after year. The Copper Kettle began as the result of tough times Cherie and her partner experienced, moving nine times in the short space of three years. In that traumatic process, she saw the u…

I can’t get over the elegant simplicity of the 100 Who Care model, where 100 or more people donating $100 each three times a year results in sizeable donations to worthy local charities. It was a revelation last month at my first 100 Men Who Care Salt Spring meeting to see how in an hour’s time a local registered charity can come away with at least $10,000. In this case, it was the Salt Spring Food Bank, and earlier this week,100 Women Who Care Salt Spring chose GIFTS (Gulf Island Families Together Society) as its fall recipient. I had seen the 100 Who Care name, including here on the Exchange, but I wasn’t familiar with the concept until someone told me about it and said 100 Men was seeking new members. And I’ve found that most people I know on SSI who aren’t members also don’t know how it works. It’s a simpler and much less time-consuming process than the typical ways registered charities raise money through bake sales, raffles, or grant applications. All it takes …

There is no shortage of enthusiasm for basketball on SSI. Last year, 90 boys and girls at GISS—about one in seven students—played on a school basketball team. The sport is also popular at the elementary schools, and this spring, a team of local men who have been playing together for years won a league title in Duncan. However, there is a shortage of local playing and training opportunities outside of the school basketball season, says hoops enthusiast Darcy Repen. He is working to change this through the recent formation of the Salt Spring Basketball Association, which incorporated in July. Inspired by the successes of local tennis, soccer and baseball association in supporting their sports, Darcy wants to build a strong year-round basketball culture on SSI where facilities are improved and people of all ages have more chances to play for the fun of it and youth can develop their skills. “There's more demand than there is availability of gym time and games and teams f…

Sometimes, when the tide is way out, Chris Martell stands by the water’s edge and marvels at his creation. He also feels a bit jealous, because he can never know what it feels like to see The Seahorse for the first time. On a beach in the North End, he has spent the last 4.5 years constructing an elaborate camp out of found materials. Although Chris doesn’t want me to share the exact location of The Seahorse, he invites you to try to find it and have an experience there. Chris, who turned 50 in May, began building the beach camp as a coping mechanism during a very dark time in his life. That in itself has been healing. But then he saw pretty early in its incarnation The Seahorse begin to transform into something larger, a place of whimsy, magic, and refuge for people who come there by happenstance or word of mouth. I stumbled upon The Seahorse on a beach walk last winter, not long after moving to SSI. I was astounded and enchanted. Even before I read the lami…

Taking a DNA test is not for everyone. It can be time-consuming sleuthing the results, and there are privacy concerns—a sheriff’s department in North Carolina contacted me a couple years ago because I matched with a woman murdered in 1989 and they wanted my help in identifying her. For me, taking a DNA test has been well worth it. The results have helped solve family mysteries and facilitated connections with long-lost relatives. The best of which was matching with a second cousin once removed, Niel Golden, who is performing an Indian Classical Music concert with Steve Oda at the Ganges Yoga Studio on October 26. Matching DNA with Niel has led to a dear friendship as well as our discovery that we had a very famous relative saved from the Holocaust by someone even more famous (more on that later). Niel plays tabla (hand drum) and is a disciple of Pandit Sharda Sahai. Steve plays sarode (a 25-string fretless lute) and studied for many years with the legendary Ali Akbar Kha…

Like Apple Fest's of past, we try to do it all but end up having so much fun with all the sweet folks that we cannot see it all!! Here are a few of the people and moments we got to enjoy ... It all started at Fulford Hall with these fine folks, greeting us with Bangin’ Masala Chai - one of the best Chai tea's I think I may have ever tasted, Katherine and Adam are pretty darn sweet too!! As we walked through all the apples we bumped in to this fine fellow, he proceeded to share about all the magic the elve's have been up to in all these years. Did you know they have written over 14,000 letters?? My daughter got one about 8 years ago - it was a really exciting moment for her. If your kiddo's haven't done it, there is a mailbox at Vesuvius - make a trip over one day - it's a memory they will adore. Thanks to Roger Brunt, or The Fairy Door Man, for bringing so much magic to this island and helping to care for the Elve's or maybe they care for him?! We …

Earlier this year we officially took over ownership of Salt Spring Media, the parent company of the Salt Spring Exchange and the day-to-day operations of the Salt Spring Exchange. At the time, the previous ownership had kept a fairly low profile and recommended we do the same at least for a time. Quite honestly, it felt like the right call at first. We didn’t have a full understanding of what it took to run the Exchange on a day-to-day basis, and we were quite overwhelmed. But we have heard from many people within the community that they felt it would be lovely for our fellow Salt Springers to know who we are and what our intentions are. To that end, or beginning as it is, we have also decided to make the Salt Spring Exchange a BC “Benefit” Company. If you are wondering what that means, here is a direct reference from the BC Government: A benefit company is a for-profit company that commits to conducting its business in a responsible and sustainable way. It mu…

The Salt Spring Pride Festival is a vibrant celebration where the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and their allies from both local and surrounding areas unite to revel in the rich diversity and inclusivity that define queer culture. This festival is more than just an event—it's a joyous safe haven where individuals can fully express their authentic selves, share artistic offerings, and build a collective culture that fosters a deep sense of belonging, support, and celebration. This past Saturday, as part of the festival, the spirit of togetherness was brought to life as the Salt Spring Island community, along with organizers and festival attendees, came together for a lively and jubilant pride parade through the streets of Ganges. The parade was a spectacular display of colour, creativity, and camaraderie, capturing the essence of what it means to celebrate pride on our island community. Here are some of the photos from the event for you to enjoy! See the full photo series at chr…

Have you ever wondered what the mighty Vikings, the Druids or Oldworld Pagans sipped from their goblets? Or guzzled perhaps! It was likely mead, a fermented honey alcohol that seems to be making a big come-back. There is a belief among many historians that mead is the ancestor of all alcohol, likely over 20,000 years old. The understanding is that mead crossed all classes from pirates to royalty to the peasants that worked the fields. Each sip is filled with thousands of years of lore and history. Some even claim that it’s magical to consume the intoxicating flavors of the fermented honey, and that imbibing mead brings one to a level of intoxication unlike any other alcoholic beverage. Mead is thought to be an aphrodisiac, a medicinal potion, and a fertility aid. Wow, It’s no wonder that in our modern era we are witnessing a resurgence of popularity with this ancient bevie, and luckily for us we have an awesome Meadery right here on Salt Spring! SSI Mead Co. also just …

Adventure Enthusiast Aims to Break Three Guinness World Records with a Thrilling Electric Skateboard Journey Across Canada Salt Spring Island born native; Bradley Smith, an electric skateboard enthusiast with 8 years of experience, is gearing up to embark on an unprecedented adventure to challenge not one, but three Guinness World Records. His daring expedition, set to take place in June 2024, will cover a staggering 3500 km along the Trans Canada Trail, starting in Saskatoon and concluding in Victoria BC. The three Guinness World Records Bradley aims to break are: 1. **Longest Journey by an Electric Skateboard**: Covering 3500 km along the Trans Canada Trail, Bradley seeks to set a new standard for electric skateboard journeys. 2. **Longest Journey in a 24-Hour Period by an Electric Skateboard**: Pushing his limits further, Bradley will attempt to complete the longest journey within a single 24-hour period, showcasing the endurance and capabilities of electric skat…