Faces of Salt Spring: Robert Bateman

Tamar Griggs has been photographing her island community, passionately drawn to the people, events and changes in our villages for over twenty years now. Through her camera she has documented the fleeting moments in our lives and ultimately recorded history. The Faces of Salt Spring exhibit will be a showing at ArtSpring in the coming months. Over 300 islanders are in this series of photography and interviews, and if you are not in it, you are bound to know someone who is. This weeks featured Face of Salt Spring is: Robert Bateman, 2007 I was born in Toronto, Ontario. In the summer of 1979 I was zodiaking with Bristol Foster on the west side of Vancouver Island. It was a fabulous BC high and I fell in love with the feel of the whole West Coast experience. I asked Bristol, if I wanted to live in BC, where should I go, and he immediately said Salt Spring Island knowing we’d like to live near a school and a hospital and be near an airport yet have nature all around us. We…
Read more about Faces of Salt Spring: Robert Bateman

Faces of Salt Spring: Jean Brouard

Tamar Griggs has been photographing her island community, passionately drawn to the people, events and changes in our villages for over twenty years now. Through her camera she has documented the fleeting moments in our lives and ultimately recorded history. The Faces of Salt Spring exhibit will be a showing at ArtSpring in the coming months. Over 300 islanders are in this series of photography and interviews, and if you are not in it, you are bound to know someone who is. This weeks featured Face of Salt Spring is: Jean Brouard, 2000 I was born in Mauritius in 1957 and came to Salt Spring Island in 1996. Sally, my wife, used to come to Salt Spring as a child to visit her aunt and cousins. We bought some recreational property here – moved here from Zimbabwe when CIDA contract ended. Had nowhere else to live. I have a Bachelor of Science in Forestry from Aberdeen, a Masters of Science in Forestry and Land Management from Oxford, and a PhD in Forest Genetics with a mi…
Read more about Faces of Salt Spring: Jean Brouard

GISS Honour Roll and Principals List

We are pleased to recognize the ongoing hard work and dedication of our students from first semester through our Honour Roll and Principals List. Congratulations to all! Principal’s List Criteria 90% average of marks in all courses taken in a full course load (8 courses). Term marks are used to calculate Principal’s List. Achievement in all courses must be 60% or higher (no incompletes). Work habits must be S ,G or E. Honour Roll Criteria 80% average of marks in all courses taken in a full course load (8 courses). Term marks are used to calculate Honour Roll. Achievement in all courses must be 60% or higher (no incompletes). Work habits must be S, G or E.
Read more about GISS Honour Roll and Principals List

Faces of Salt Spring: Karen Hudson

Tamar Griggs has been photographing her island community, passionately drawn to the people, events and changes in our villages for over twenty years now. Through her camera she has documented the fleeting moments in our lives and ultimately recorded history. The Faces of Salt Spring exhibit will be a showing at ArtSpring in the coming months. Over 300 islanders are in this series of photography and interviews, and if you are not in it, you are bound to know someone who is. This weeks featured Face of Salt Spring is: Karen Hudson, 2005 I was born in Hasting, Michigan in the 1960s and came to Salt Spring Island at the end of the millennium, 1999. I was drawn here by the strong values in community, the environment, and education to raise my daughter Zorah, who was three. I worked at the Salt Spring Island Conservancy for 7 years. Based on my passion for animals and their protection, I started the successful Species at Risk program in 2004: "The project has received fed…
Read more about Faces of Salt Spring: Karen Hudson

People Profile: Deanna Milligan

Community People Profiles is a series on the Salt Spring Exchange featuring local personalities on our dynamic Gulf Island. Our People Profiles are short interviews, with one answer questions to share with you a little about what each of the people we will feature are thinking about as they go about their lives living on Salt Spring Island. This weeks featured local people profile is: Deanna Milligan Here's a bit about Deanna; I have an eco clothing company called Cherry Blossom. I silk screen images onto original Bamboo and Hemp Clothing and sell at the Salt Spring Saturday Market. I also run Salt Spring Screen Print with my husband Jason Gaffney and we print custom pieces for schools and organizations on the island. I am proud to be one of the 5 producers ( including Cheyenne Goh, Julie Mackinnon, Rachel Hughes and Zandra Stratford) that organize Salt Spring in the City. It is a travelling Salt Spring artisan market that is happening in Vancouver March 27th-29th. …
Read more about People Profile: Deanna Milligan

People Profile: Tamar Griggs

Community People Profiles is a series on the Salt Spring Exchange featuring local personalities on our dynamic Gulf Island. Our People Profiles are short interviews, with one answer questions to share with you a little about what each of the people we will feature are thinking about as they go about their lives living on Salt Spring Island. This weeks featured local people profile is: Tamar Griggs Here's a bit about Tamar; Oh my, a short bio when my life has been so long! I passionately love my life on Salt Spring Island, and am filled with awe every day, that I live surrounded by ocean, mountains and forests, and a wonderful community of eclectic people. When my daughter, Maya, age 12, and I moved full time to our inherited home at Bold Bluff in 1993, I began Bold Bluff Retreat. Not being a business woman, but being more of an artist, this was a challenge. It proved to be a delightful success for the next 15 years. With boat access only and 100 acres of pristine ocean…
Read more about People Profile: Tamar Griggs

People Profile: Leela Graham

Community People Profiles is a series on the Salt Spring Exchange featuring local personalities on our dynamic Gulf Island. Our People Profiles are short interviews, with one answer questions to share with you a little about what each of the people we will feature are thinking about as they go about their lives living on Salt Spring Island. This weeks featured local people profile is: Leela Graham Here's a bit about Leela; Hi my name is Leela, and I started composing piano at the age of 3. I studied at the Victoria Conservatory of Music, and the Toronto Conservatory of Music. Many years ago, a friend of mine, put together a children's project book with cassette, called " The Visit to the Circus", this was my first collection of piano compositions that were published. My passion is composing music, and I have spent my lifetime teaching children and adults. Last year after being very ill, I woke up one day and decided to connect with WIF organization. I had a few respon…
Read more about People Profile: Leela Graham

People Profile: Kiva Simova

Community People Profiles is a series on the Salt Spring Exchange featuring local personalities on our dynamic Gulf Island. Our People Profiles are short interviews, with one answer questions to share with you a little about what each of the people we will feature are thinking about as they go about their lives living on Salt Spring Island. This weeks featured local people profile is: Kiva Simova Here's a bit about Kiva; I'm a musician (vocals/ keys) and designer here since Oct '14. Mostly known as an expert in advanced overtone singing (2 pitches from 1 voice). Professional since the late 70's, in all kinds of bands, including a world tour doing backup vocals/ keys with Crash Test Dummies, '94. Some locals may recall me from folk trio The Wyrd Sisters, played ArtSpring in '01. I have 3 solo CDs (available at Saltspring Sound). It's jazzy pop/ experimental/ world beat. Have lived in Winnipeg, Edmonton (Grant McEwan jazz college), Toronto, Vancouver, Tokyo (fashion desi…
Read more about People Profile: Kiva Simova

People Profile: Sean Mulligan

Community People Profiles is a series on the Salt Spring Exchange featuring local personalities on our dynamic Gulf Island. Our People Profiles are short interviews, with one answer questions to share with you a little about what each of the people we will feature are thinking about as they go about their lives living on Salt Spring Island. This weeks featured local people profile is: Sean Mulligan Here's a bit about Sean; Sean is the owner of the simply fabulous OutSpokin' Bike Shop. He's a bit of a bike geek / snob. He is also also a coffee, music, food, beer, and movie snob. What can I say... live is too short for anything but the best! My goal (changing now to first person) is to get this island out of the bicycle dark ages and to get as many people riding as possible. Its my version of social / environmental activism: Bikes reduce your carbon footprint, contribute to a healthy lifestyle, and save you money. What more reasons do you need? I am however, more than…
Read more about People Profile: Sean Mulligan

People Profile: Lynda Laushway

Community People Profiles is a series on the Salt Spring Exchange featuring local personalities on our dynamic Gulf Island. Our People Profiles are short interviews, with one answer questions to share with you a little about what each of the people we will feature are thinking about as they go about their lives living on Salt Spring Island. This weeks featured local people profile is: Lynda Laushway Here’s a bit about Lynda; I have lived on Salt Spring Island for almost 31 years. I am one of the founders of SWOVA Community Development and Research Society which has brought mainly violence prevention and healthy relationships programs to youth in our community since our inception in 1992. My two sons Chris and Matt Cecill were raised here. I live in Henry Bullock's Old Creamery, one of the original Salt Spring farm houses, originally an active creamery in the late 1800's. What brought you to Salt Spring Island? I came to Salt Spring Island because of the natural b…
Read more about People Profile: Lynda Laushway

People Profile: Cicela MĂĄnsson

Community People Profiles is a series on the Salt Spring Exchange featuring local personalities on our dynamic Gulf Island. Our People Profiles are short interviews, with one answer questions to share with you a little about what each of the people we will feature are thinking about as they go about their lives living on Salt Spring Island. This weeks featured local people profile is: Cicela MĂĄnsson Here's a bit about Cicela; Having lived on Salt Spring for six months I'm enjoying exploring the island and community. I'm finding it a fabulous place to live in terms of the sense of community, the variety of art experiences and the lovely people I've met. What brought you to Salt Spring Island? ArtSpring. I'm the Executive/Artistic Director and am loving every minute! What one thing about Salt Spring would you tell someone who has never visited the island? It is a truly special place. I love that you can pick up hitchhikers, leave your door unlocked and you do…
Read more about People Profile: Cicela MĂĄnsson

People Profile: Shawn Walton

Community People Profiles is a series on the Salt Spring Exchange featuring local personalities on our dynamic Gulf Island. Our People Profiles are short interviews, with one answer questions to share with you a little about what each of the people we will feature are thinking about as they go about their lives living on Salt Spring Island. This weeks featured local people profile is: Shawn Walton Here's a bit about Shawn; I was born and raised in a rural farming community in southwestern Ontario before moving to Salt Spring Island where I've resided since 2001. My first jobs on Salt Spring Island were tending bar at the Legion and waiting tables at Calvin's Bistro. I met my wife Elisabeth on Salt Spring, we were married in November of 2002. In 2004 we started Auntie Pesto's CafĂ© in the location formerly known as Bouzouki Greek CafĂ©, in Grace Point Square on the waterfront. I am a proud father to my boy, Nolan James, who was born in 2005. I believe strongly in communit…
Read more about People Profile: Shawn Walton

People Profile: Greg Clayton

Community People Profiles is a series on the Salt Spring Exchange featuring local personalities on our dynamic Gulf Island. Our People Profiles are short interviews, with one answer questions to share with you a little about what each of the people we will feature are thinking about as they go about their lives living on Salt Spring Island. This weeks featured local people profile is: Greg Clayton Here's a bit about Greg; I’ve always been drawn to the farm life – tractors, tools, raising a family in a small community with local organic produce, always building & creating. It’s a tough way to make a living though - I guess that is how I ended up finishing university with many years of finance education and working commercial finance in the real-estate industry based in Calgary.  In 2014, following spine surgery, the birth of my first son Bodhi Xavier, and connecting with my partner Jaya Genevieve, I found the courage to make the leap. I invested for the long-t…
Read more about People Profile: Greg Clayton

Video: Dance of the Sugarplum BC Ferries

Primary students at Salt Spring Island's Phoenix Elementary perform their very own, must see version of 'Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy' called 'Dance of the Sugarplum BC Ferries'. This very unique to Salt Spring Island performance is an interpretation of the pas de deux from Act 2 of the 1892 ballet The Nutcracker with music written by Tchaikovsky. This is a classic made on Salt Spring artistic performance re-imagined through our island ferry service, BC Ferries. Thank to you all the staff, students and parents of Phoenix Elementary and especially to the elementary class ferries, orca, station attendant, fuel supplier and of course the traveling public on BC Ferries.
Read more about Video: Dance of the Sugarplum BC Ferries

People Profile: Krystle Capranos

Community People Profiles is a series on the Salt Spring Exchange featuring local personalities on our dynamic Gulf Island. Our People Profiles are short interviews, with one answer questions to share with you a little about what each of the people we will feature are thinking about as they go about their lives living on Salt Spring Island. This weeks featured local people profile is: Krystle Capranos Here's a bit about Krystle; Most people recognize me as the face behind their tasty baked treats in the heart of Ganges. My first job on Salt Spring was on FritzRoy Farm hauling cow pies. Now, I’m known to make some of the best fruit pies this side of Mount Maxwell. My time is split between baking up a storm and hiking all the trails of the island with good friends and my sweet dogs. Every day I’m thankful for living in one of the most beautiful places in the world. What brought you to Salt Spring Island? Twelve years ago I was living in Toronto, the city where I wa…
Read more about People Profile: Krystle Capranos

People Profile: Michael Levy

Community People Profiles is a series on the Salt Spring Exchange featuring local personalities on our dynamic Gulf Island. Our People Profiles are short interviews, with one answer questions to share with you a little about what each of the people we will feature are thinking about as they go about their lives living on Salt Spring Island. This weeks featured local people profile is: Michael Levy Here's a bit about Michael; Ever since moving to the island 20+ years ago, I have been fascinated by the extraordinary diversity in the flora & fauna as well as the people. I have been fortunate enough to be able to record this diversity through the lens of my camera, sharing my work through cards, calendars, fine art prints and books. To date, I have published two hardcover photo books of the island with plans to do many more! I also owned The Fritz Movie Theatre for many years and enjoyed being an active part of many community events and fundraisers. Rock climbing…
Read more about People Profile: Michael Levy

People Profile: David Norget

Community People Profiles is a series on the Salt Spring Exchange featuring local personalities on our dynamic Gulf Island. Our People Profiles are short interviews, with one answer questions to share with you a little about what each of the people we will feature are thinking about as they go about their lives living on Salt Spring Island. This weeks featured local people profile is: David Norget Here's a bit about David; I first moved to the island 25 years ago and, except for two years spent in Europe, have called Salt Spring home. I now have a great family—my partner Tisha; two kids, Simon age 14 and Amelia age 7; Felix the dog; Tortilla the cat; and a smattering of ducks. My mother and her partner also live active lives on the island. I’ve had many jobs in the human services realm on Salt Spring: family child support work, special education in the schools, and director of human resources at Salt Spring Coffee (saltspringcoffee.com). In June of 2013, I started a…
Read more about People Profile: David Norget

MI5 spy who foiled Nazi Ring Lived on Salt Spring

The UK Telegraph is reporting a very interesting story today about a former British MI5 spy who foiled a Nazi ring who then relocated to Salt Spring Island after the war. Eric Roberts was not just another normal Salt Spring Island resident according to the Telegraph: To residents of the far flung island off Canada’s west coast he was just an ageing author who liked few things better than relaxing in the shade of a blue garden umbrella sipping his favourite drink. Little could they have imagined, then, that Eric Roberts was actually one of the British security service’s most successful spies, smoking out dozens, if not hundreds of Nazi sympathisers during the Second World War. Now it can be disclosed that Roberts, who on Friday was revealed as the “genius” MI5 spy who posed as a German agent to infiltrate the ranks of British Nazi sympathisers, was a career intelligence officer who left Britain with his family to build a new life as a writer after the war.…
Read more about MI5 spy who foiled Nazi Ring Lived on Salt Spring

The Islands Trust Experiment

“The Islands” of the title are between Vancouver and Vancouver Island in British Columbia. There are 465 in this archipelago, known collectively as the Gulf Islands. I live on Salt Spring Island, shown in green, the largest of the 13, which have a total of 25,000 permanent residents. Islands Trust is a federation of local governments with land-use authority, tasked with preserving and protecting the area’s unique amenities and environment. This is something so rare that a web search of trusts related to land use yields many references to them as private agreements between non-profit or individual landowners, sometimes working with government, but not integrated into government. In the late 1960s, developers and speculators drew up huge subdivisions of city-sized lots for many of the islands, planning instant new villages, towns, and mega-resorts. The alarmed Social Credit government put on the brakes, freezing lot sizes to a 10-acre minimum. Still, large-scale d…
Read more about The Islands Trust Experiment

Video: Grace Islet - Don't Build Your House on My Bones

Alan Moberg and The Friends of Grace are releasing Don’t Build Your House on My Bones, a song written in support of resistance at Grace Islet, on Tuesday Oct 7. The recording includes performances by noted BC musicians Bill Henderson (Chillliwack), Diona Davies (ESL, Po’ Girl) and CR Avery, among others. Songwriter Alan Moberg (member, BC Country Music Hall of Fame) has been a concerned observer of the ongoing dispute at Grace Islet, just offshore from Salt Spring Island where he makes his home. A 4200 square foot house is being built on the tiny 3/4 hectare islet, a traditional burial site of the Coast Salish. Building is ongoing despite breaches of site-alteration permits issued by the archeology branch of the BC government, and despite calls from the CRD, MLA Gary Holman, tribal elders, and concerned citizens, asking the provincial Government to halt the project. Alan Moberg has a long history of writing and singing about the BC coast and it’s traditions, notably the f…
Read more about Video: Grace Islet - Don't Build Your House on My Bones

People Profile: Gabrielle Jensen

Community People Profiles is a series on the Salt Spring Exchange featuring local personalities on our dynamic Gulf Island. Our People Profiles are short interviews, with one answer questions to share with you a little about what each of the people we will feature are thinking about as they go about their lives living on Salt Spring Island. This weeks featured local people profile is: Gabrielle Jensen Here’s a little about Gabrielle; Most people know me through my work, I own Gulf Island Picture Framing, and have for more than 21 years now. A fact that I both marvel at and feel pride in. Before this I studied Fine Arts and Graphic Design in Vancouver. Skills I learned in college I use every day in my work as a framer as well as my pursuit as an artist. Finding time for my art is a challenge that I'm still working on. I share my life with a wonderful man and his beautiful daughter. What brought you to Salt Spring Island? I moved to Salt Spring with my family when …
Read more about People Profile: Gabrielle Jensen