March 16, 2010 by Jocko.

From Janice Oakley on Galiano Island:

Hello friends near and far!

Well, the long-anticipated time has come! The Inter-island conference on Agriculture, Community and the Environment is upon us (This Sunday, March 21, 2010, Galiano Island), preceded by Nettlefest on Saturday.
We would like to emphasize how lucky and privileged we are to be able to host such a conference on our island (Galiano)! The line-up of speakers is very impressive indeed! This truly is the culminating point of the past few years for us and we hope you can join us.
If you have not registered for the conference yet and wish to attend, please do not delay and register right away via our website (please note that this applies to presenters as well- except our four main speakers):
galianofoodprogram.ca
Seating is limited and filling up fast! The $30 admission fee includes breakfast and a delicious lunch, and full access to the conference. We will provide transportation to and from the ferry to all registrants who require it- please let us know ahead of time, in order to ensure we have enough vehicles!!
**If you can provide accomodation for some of our guests, please let us know, we still require billetting for a few of them. Also, if you wish to volunteer for the event, we still require a few drivers, cooks and set-up/clean-up crew. Admission fee will be waived for volunteers.

We will be e-mailing the final information packages to all registered conference participants on Thursday.

Hope to see you all there!
All the best,

–
Martine Paulin
Janice Oakley
Galiano Food Program Coordinators

250-539-2175 option 2 (Food program)

Posted in Sustainable Living | Print | No Comments »

March 12, 2010 by Jocko.

From Kim Brown:

Over 100 Pender Island residents attended the play written and performed by Alan Weeks entitled “That’s Al Folks!” last September and more than 50 stayed after the production to talk about mental health needs on our island. The Pender Island Mental Health Initiative invites you to continue the dialogue…

On Saturday March 27th at 7:30 PM at the Pender Community Hall you are invited to view the critically-acclaimed film “House of Sand and Fog.”  Admission by donation.

“This 2003 film is a modern day tragedy about life and death that is profoundly emotional and poignant.  The movie stars Jennifer Connelly as Kathy, a depressed, recovering alcoholic, and Sir Ben Kingsley as Behrani, a former high-ranking Iranian colonel working hard at two menial jobs to create success for his family.” (From Movies and Mental Illness.)

Everyone is invited to stay afterwards for an open discussion.  Mental health professionals will be in attendance to answer questions.

Thanks to PIRAHA (Pender Island Recreation and Agricultural Hall Association) and the Pender Island Film Group for their assistance and support.

About Alan Weeks, author of “That’s Al Folks!“:

“Alan Weeks, from Mayne Island, was diagnosed with schizophrenia ten years ago. Before his illness he’d acted in eight Mayne Island Little Theatre productions, so once he had recovered from his psychosis, it was natural for him to want to write and act out a play about his illness. At times the play is humorous, so don’t be thinking it’s going to be a downer!” - from ActiveGaliano.org

and from the Pender Island Health Centre website:

Crisis and Mental Health Counselling
250 629-0032
24 Hour Help Line, Call Anytime
Rob Willingham, Crisis and Mental Health Counsellor
iona2@shaw.ca
Program Description: Crisis intervention, mental health support, information and referral. For individuals, couples and families. Visits in the home or at the Health Centre by appointment.

Posted in Recreation, Health and Fitness | Print | No Comments »

March 12, 2010 by Jocko.

Ideas from our friends on Galiano Island:

Hello everyone!

Wanted to remind everyone that the first Community Kitchen Group meets this Monday the 8th at 7pm at the south hall.  Please join us if you are interested in gaining confidence in the kitchen, trying new things, cooking as a group and having food to take home to keep in your fridge/freezer.  On Monday we will be introducing the idea, choosing recipes for the future and making some quick and easy snacks.  There is no cost for this first visit, and in the future the community kitchen cook-offs will require a contribution of no more than $10.

Also,  Nettlefest 2010 is around the corner!  It will be taking place on Saturday March 20th.  This is our first call out for kitchen volunteers.  If you can help or are interested in learning about how to cook with nettles we would love to have you!

If you have nettle related products,  then we would like to extend an invitation for you to have a table at this year’s Nettlefest.  Please contact us by email or phone.

Cheers and enjoy the sun!

Nicole
Galiano Food Program Intern
–
Martine Paulin
Janice Oakley
Galiano Food Program Coordinators

250-539-2175 option 2 (Food program)

Posted in Island Neighbours | Print | 1 Comment »

February 26, 2010 by Jocko.

The Pender Islands Farmers’ Institute presents Pender Islands’ first “Seedy Saturday” to be held on March 6, 2010 from 10 am until 2 pm at the Pender Island Community Hall.

Featured will be a seed swap, plant sale, seed sale, garden books, Master Gardeners, and local food.

What is a Seedy Saturday?

A Seedy Saturday is a time to exchange or buy food and plant seeds, purchase plants that will grow in our area, and to get ideas from experts in all aspects of gardening.

The Seed Swap is where you can share your saved seeds with other local gardeners or buy seeds they have saved locally.  Bring your own saved seeds to donate or trade at the “Seed Exchange“.  Seeds should be cleaned, packaged in clear bags or small envelopes and labelled with the variety and year saved.  Heritage and/or organic varieties preferred.  Exchange seeds including: heirlooms, runner plants, tubers, rhizomes, bulbs, etc…  all clearly labelled.

Vendors can call to book a table to sell plants and seeds.  If you have anything that you think might fit the event call Mathilde at 250 629 3829 or Barbara 250 629 3320

Products preferred to be organic, island produced, non GMO and just plain good.

Apropos to Seedy Saturday, the Pender Island Garden Club is excited to be sponsoring the fantastically successful organic vegetable-growing workshops entitled:

“FULL CIRCLE”

which Carol McIntyre introduced to Vancouver Island throughout 2009.  An introduction to the workshops will be held on Thursday March 11th, 2010 at 1:00 pm in the Anglican Parish Hall, North Pender, and all members of the community are warmly invited to attend ($2 donation appreciated).

The first workshop will be held in the same place on Friday 12th March, 9 am - noon, $50 per person.

For more information and pre-registration (space will be limited for the workshops) - Visit: www.winter-harvestvegetables.ca

Email: carol.wintervegetables@shaw.ca;  Phone: Carol McIntyre at 250 334-2701 or email Patricia Callendar of the Pender Island Garden Club at pcallendar@gmail.com

Another gardening note:  The Pender Organic Community Garden Society (POCGS) will meet Sunday March 7, 2010 at 2:00 pm in the Hall lounge.  If you are interested in gardening at the community garden at the Ross Smith farm in 2010 please come out to the meeting.

Just in case, someone can benefit from this:

2011 Nuffield Farming Scholarship Applications Open

(Innisfail, AB - March 3, 2010)  The Canadian Nuffield Farming Scholarship Trust is accepting applications for their 2011 program. Applications are due by April 30, 2010 and forms can be downloaded from the Nuffield Canada website at http://www.nuffield.ca.

Nuffield Farming Scholarships are awarded to enthusiastic individuals, between the ages of 25 and 45, who wish to explore topics of their choice in agriculture, land management, horticulture or the food chain. Three scholarships of $15,000 each are available for 2011.

The scholarships are awarded to men and women who are judged to have the greatest potential to create value for themselves, their industries and their communities through the doors which will be opened and the opportunities provided for life-long learning and improvement. The scholarships are awarded on the strength of the applicants’ vision, enthusiasm and determination to pursue their farming goals.

And don’t forget to check out the activities of the Pender Island Community Farmland Acquisition Project.

Posted in Gardening | Print | No Comments »

February 22, 2010 by Jocko.

Photo courtesy HoldfastOrganicGardening  (not affiliated with Hope Bay Farm)

From Derek Masselink:

HOPE BAY FARM COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE PROGRAM (CSA)
So far we have 5 families interested in participating a CSA and would like 10-15 members to get this initiative off of the ground.

As mentioned previously, we see a CSA as another potential market outlet for our produce that will provide us with a bit of stability and give some of our more loyal customers a more direct way to connect with and support our farm.

We expect to supply produce to CSA members from April to October and possibly longer. We are still working out a pricing structure.

** We need to know by MARCH 1st if you would be interested in participating.**

If there is enough interest, we will call a meeting to discuss details as CSA’s require quite a bit of involvement and organization.

A brief explanation about CSAs (Community Supported Agriculture) is provided at the following websites:

www.wilson.edu/wilson/uploadedfiles/offices/academic_affairs/fulton_ctr/CSA_Brochure_2009.pdf (downloadable brochure)
www.biodynamics.com/csa.html
www.journeytoforever.org/farm_csa.html

The highly enjoyable movie, “The Real Dirt on Farmer John,” describes how one wild and crazy farmer found success in a CSA and saved his family farm. It is available for rental at Southridge Farms Country Store.

STILL ASKING FOR HELP!
Thank you to those who have already responded to this request… As many of you know, last year was a bit of a struggle for us. We found it very difficult at times to stay on top of everything. This year we’re hoping to avoid this by putting out an early call for help. We would welcome committed and interested volunteers who would like help out on the farm.  At this time we are unable to pay people (truth is, we don’t pay ourselves), but we  hope that this will change. Please contact me by email (info@hopebayfarm.com) if you would be interested in helping out. We are looking for people who would be able to commit to the full growing season.

LET US KNOW WHAT YOU WANT!
Now is the time to let us know what you want - what you would like us to grow.

Derek Masselink
Hope Bay Farm
Icelandic Sheep :: Heritage  Poultry :: Fresh Produce
4316 Clam Bay Rd. :: Pender Island, BC
250.629.6934  ::  www.hopebayfarm.com

Posted in Sustainable Living | Print | 1 Comment »

February 12, 2010 by Jocko.

Pender Islands’ own Theresa Carle-Sanders has created a new website featuring delicious recipes.

Check out Chile Rellenos Strata with Smoked Paprika Sour Cream

“PLEASE.  Do not mistake this for a casserole — you would be very, very wrong.  Although loosely based on a secondhand account of an LA Times recipe for a Chile Relleno Casserole from 1990, this little beauty here is to be referred to as a strata.  Layers of cheesy, chile goodness baked in the oven…

It started with a loose game plan, and ended in complete, very tasty, success.  Perfect for a filling meatless meal (although you could easily incorporate a layer of ground meat — but trust this wife of a MEAT EATER — no one will miss it).

It’s already a new favourite in this kitchen.  An easy weeknight meal — the only finicky step is whipping the egg whites — but it only takes a couple of minutes with an electric hand held beater, and ensures the cooked custard is light, not scrambled.”

For the complete recipe and many others, visit her website, Island Vittles.  Bon Appetit!

Posted in Recipes | Print | 1 Comment »

February 10, 2010 by Jocko.

 From “The New Yorker” magazine, Feb. 1, 2010 www.newyorker.com

New Year’s email subscriber list updating:  If you are receiving this email for the first time, consider it an invitation to join the subscriber list of PenderBlog.  If you do not want to receive further notifications of posts on PenderBlog, please reply to alphapest@shaw.ca with the title “unsubscribe”.  Thank you and best regards, Jocko, moderator, PenderBlog

Posted in Ramblings | Print | 1 Comment »

February 10, 2010 by Jocko.

To all you loyal and esteemed PenderBlog readers, I have just returned from a three week vacation and back in the saddle at PenderBlog.  Thank you all for your interesting suggestions and submissions over the past three years of PenderBlog’s existence.  It has been fun, let it continue!  Jocko, moderator, PenderBlog

From Mike Aston:

Dear Friends, Fellow Penderites et al,

Opposition to Islands Trust 2010 Proposed Tax Hike…

I hate politics, so apologies for this political message.  However, I feel strongly about this, so contacting you seems like a good place to start… (since you are all likely directly affected).  It all adds up to more taxes = less money in community pockets = Less money for local economy = more pressure on our communities = less feel-good factor.  Need I say more….?

The Islands Trust is proposing a 4.9% Tax Increase for 2010.  Public input is required by noon on 19 February 2010. (for final decision in March).  The Islands Trust taxes are already between 10% and 20% of our annual property tax bills, depending on which island you live on.

Many lslanders are already struggling to get by on their fixed or reducing incomes.  Meanwhile the bureaucrats always seem able to spend more, even going into deficit, if necessary, on the taxpayer’s account.  This is a global phenomenon, and history proves it to be folly.  (If you need proof, look at Japan, which is still languishing in recession and debt after 2 decades of government “stimulus” packages and tax increases.)

So, if you like the idea of a 4.9% tax hike (and that’s just from this particular level of government) then DO NOTHING !

If however, like me and many others, you think a tax increase is unjustified, or that the Islands Trust should become more efficient and do MORE FOR LESS, not take on extra staff, then please send your opinions to budget2010@islandstrust.bc.ca as soon as possible.

You could also email your local trustees…
(North Pender Island Trustees Gary Steeves <gsteeves@islandstrust.bc.ca> and Derek Masselink dmasselink@islandstrust.bc.ca)
(South Pender Island Trustees David Greer dgreer@islandstrust.bc.ca and Wendy Scholefield wscholefield@islandstrust.bc.ca
(For a full list of trustees for various islands see: http://www.islandstrust.bc.ca/contact/trustee.cfm )

When, over time, an increasing portion of our money is being handed over to government, it will be very, very difficult to turn back.  Government austerity measures must kick in somewhere and soon for everybody’s sake.

PLEASE FORWARD THIS TO AS MANY PEOPLE AS YOU KNOW WITH AN INTEREST IN THE ISLANDS TRUST AREA.

Please share this, share the responsibility, share the pride that you are able to say No!  Enough is enough!

Cheers,  Mike

P.S.  You could tell these guys too…  murray.coell.mla@leg.bc.ca; ida.chong.mla@leg.bc.ca;  gordon.campbell.mla@leg.bc.ca;  premier@gov.bc.ca ; lunng@parl.gc.ca;   lunnmp@garylunn.com;  pm@pm.gc.ca     Somewhere, I got the impression they are paid to listen to us… although they may perhaps be  suffering from a dose of the porogues right now…

……………………………………………………………
Mike Aston
h:   250.629.3307
c:   250.516.3307
w:  www.mikeaston.ca

“If, in my lifetime, I can help eliminate just one small piece of wanton bureacracy, then my life will have been worthwhile.”

Posted in Governance and Legal | Print | No Comments »