The annual lighting of the Edith and George Pearson Care Tree will take place, rain or shine, at 4pm on Sunday, December 7, 2008 at the Care Tree on Bridges Rd. for dedication and carol singing. Music to be provided by the Pender Highlanders Pipe Band. The money raised will go to the Pender Island Lion’s Club’s support for Care Canada. It would be a good idea to bring a flashlight along with you.
November 29, 2008
November 26, 2008
Media Watch
Here is an article brought to my attention today. Go to Ferries may be lemons for the full story.
BC’s German Ferries May Be Lemons
BC Ferries’ Coastal Renaissance
Heavy fuel use, noise, vibration and air-sucking propellers said to be problems.
Published: November 18, 2008
TheTyee.ca
On Dec. 13, 2007, the first of three Super C-class vessels built for $542 million in Germany arrived in B.C. to much fanfare. Less than 10 months later, B.C. Ferries announced the Coastal Renaissance would be spending more days tied up at the terminal than it would carrying passengers. The publicly owned company that runs the ferries has yet to fully explain why.
Back when the Coastal Renaissance arrived, B.C. Ferries’ chief operating officer Mike Corrigan said the ship’s diesel-electric propulsion system was 30 per cent more efficient than the engines on older ferries. Once all three of the new vessels were operating, he said, the ferry company would save about $5 million worth of fuel each year.
But in early October, B.C. Ferries’ cost savings measures included replacing the Coastal Renaissance four days a week with the 32-year-old Queen of Cowichan. The two vessels carry about the same loads, but according to the watchdog citizens’ group Save Our Ferries, the Super C-class vessel requires almost 20 percent more fuel to cross the Strait of Georgia. (news item continued… see link above)
Further to this story, is a follow up on Dec. 4, 2008 (excerpt):
While B.C. Ferries is working on the various problems, the fuel guzzling may prove the most difficult to solve. B.C. Ferries is taking steps to reduce the ships’ fuel use, but observers wonder if the company, with the board’s approval, simply ordered the wrong ships.
See full story here: Changing Light Bulbs – B.C. Ferries Battles Fuel Costs
November 24, 2008
Notice Board
A reminder, The Pender Island Library will be holding another of their fabulous Book and Bake Sales on Saturday, November 29th from 10am ’til 1pm in the library meeting room. Come and get your Christmas treats and presents at the same time! Arrive early for best selection.
November 21, 2008
A growing concern…
The Pender Islands Farmers’ Institute will be holding their Annual General Meeting at the Pender Community Hall on Monday, November 24, 2008 with a Potluck at 6:00pm and the Meeting to begin at 7:00pm.
Everyone is welcome!
Guest Speaker: Tom Henry, editor of “Small Farm Canada” and consummate advocate for the locavore movement!
The magazine, “Small Farm Canada“, promotes small-scale farming as a legitimate and viable endeavour. It promotes the guiding principles that lives of small-scale farmers and their families are worthy, complex and rich in possibility, and that the communities serving small-scale farmers are unique and dynamic!
November 20, 2008
Notice Board
Get out your binoculars… and be part of the “Birds of Christmas”
The Pender Island Field Naturalists (PIFN) are sponsoring an illustrated talk at the Library Meeting Room on Thursday, December 4, 2008 at 7:30pm, about the birds we can expect to see on Pender Island at this time of year.
Maybe, if you’re lucky, you’ll spot a Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch! (see p. 494, Stokes Field Guide to Birds)
November 17, 2008
Start your Christmas shopping here…
The Pender Islands Community Hall presents the 2008
Yuletide Gift Faire
Wonderful Crafts, Food and Gifts, Concession and Lunch
One day only, Saturday November 29th, from 10am to 5pm
Free Admission – Donations to the Pender Islands Community Hall always appreciated
We are also collecting donations for the food bank
November 16, 2008
Election Results
Unofficial results of the North Pender Islands Trust elections held on November 15th, 2008 are in. Official results will be available on November 20th.
Gary Steeves 611 (incumbent)
Derek Masselink 575
Barbara Johnstone Grimmer 510
Victor Jones 494
On South Pender, David Greer and Wendy Scholefield were acclaimed as Trustees.
Southern Gulf Islands CRD Director:
Ken Hancock 1646
Roy Smith 879
School District 64, Gulf Islands School Trustee
Pete Williams elected, margin not available (incumbent)
Russ Searle
The South Pender Local Trust Committee invites you to meet them at an informal gathering at the South Pender Firehall from 2 pm to 4 pm on Saturday, November 22, 2008. Come and talk about your priorities for the South Pender Island Community.
November 13, 2008
Interesting Islander…
Marcia Olmsted, Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT), Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) is newly offering yoga classes at her studio on South Pender, and in good weather, outdoors overlooking the serenity of Razor Point and Saturna Island.
Viniyoga is a highly adaptable and healing form of yoga that benefits people of all ages, levels and physical abilities, including those with health issues and limited mobility. It has been referred to as Yoga for Wellness that makes use of modified yoga poses designed to meet the specific needs of an individual, and to enhance healing, flexibility and strength of joints. Viniyoga poses are also intended to promote a feeling of well-being and strength with emphasis on coordinating breath and movement.
The next 4 week class which starts Saturday Nov. 15th is full, but Marcia would be happy to schedule more sessions on demand. She also does private sessions for those who are new to yoga and want to get started in a private environment or who are addressing specific health and wellness issues. Marcia also does personal fitness coaching.
For more information, email Marcia at marcia_olmsted@hotmail.com or call 250-629-6185