Roots Show

Be prepared to be dazzled as you enter the ROOTS show, hosted at Artworks in the Village, there are still three days left to treat your eyes to this community art event.

This years theme really challenged the artists... We were very impressed with the creativity that was invoked by this show and the ages and diversity of the participants.

If you have a chance to go, have a look at Melinda Wilde's painting as it tells a very interesting story about family in a beautiful way. Another piece that I found intriguing is Donna Zakreski's quilt, she has a very artistic approach to quilting. Of course, I need to mention the family members who also have their pieces in the show, Randi's "14 carrots" incorporates her love of quilting into an amazing fiber art piece, and Bianca, my 6 year old niece for her brilliant painting entitled Hungry, after her neighborhood rabbit - who gave grief to her garden! (Congratulations B. on the sale of your very first piece- with her family roots I'm sure it's the first of many more to come...)

There is also a silent auction which has numerous items; from the beautiful driftwood coffee table, to tempting jewellery, island services & so much more, it's a great place to stock up on gifts for friends and family, while supporting the Gabriola Arts Council.

MS Walk Nanaimo 2009

On Sunday, we loaded up the family & friends and sailed across from Gabriola on BC Ferries, to meet our team for the annual MS Walk. The weather was absolutely stunning, which was complimented by the gorgeous walk along down town Nanaimo’s sea wall.

We were walking in support of our good friend Jodi, who was diagnosed with MS when she was only 31, she is an amazingly vibrant person who has not let it affect her day to day living, or her attitude on life. She is a hard individual to keep up with as she is very athletic & outgoing and has so many friends…

So, this year was the first year we put together a team, in full costumes modeled after MS. Canada we entered in the MS. Cured team, with over 20 of participating. The boys looked especially good in the evening gowns, and while none of them shaved their legs, we did help raise some money & awareness (the photo in the paper caught some attention) and to also for the opportunity to spend a couple of hours with good friends!

MS affects so many, friends, co-workers, mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, sons & daughters out there, as was evident in nearly 335 participants coming out for the 2009 Nanaimo MS Walk, nearly $75,0000 was raised.

To all those affected, we want to let you know, we care and we are with you every step of the way!

Art Online

Gabriola is filled with artists and art lovers, here is a new website dedicated for artists wanting to sell and art collectors wanting to add to their collection. Recenlty, Jenn Chemago, the artist and owner contacted me and let me know about her new enterprise. Jenn and I are friends from our student days in the art studios of Malaspina University College and UVIC.

As a special promotion, and a way of getting more island art out into the world, anyone who currently registers on the site will have lifetime free membership. If you have a moment,visit the site http://www.oneworldartonline.com/ .

Mmmmm.... I smell chocolate!

Coast Realty's Community Easter Egg Hunt, Food & the KERPLUNKS !

Open to all ages, at the Commons on Saturday, April 11th, the day starts at 12 noon with our very own, Juno award nominees, the “Kerplunks”. Dance and sing along, there will also be a concession with hot dogs and drinks by donation to our 4H Club. Then, the really big event of Easter Weekend, and starting at 1pm ‘sharp’, is the Easter Egg Hunt, itself. This is a sight to behold if you’ve never been and the Easter Bunny makes a surprise appearance especially for picture taking, young and old.

So, you ask, “How many eggs are hidden amongst the trees, and meadows?” We asked the Easter Bunny, and with a wiggle of his nose, he whispered “way, way over 10,000”!

So, come one, come all and don’t be late, race time is 1:00 (and it starts on time)... It’s bound to be a fun day.

Meet the flintstones, Gabriola's young dancers

It is astounding the number of dance students that have been travelling to the Harbour Dancentre in downtown Nanaimo for years to take an array of dance classes, starting from three years old to adults.

My son and daughter take classes there and the lobby is often filled with parents from Gabriola. We love the setting and the location, the studio is in a heritage building that is a 5 minute walk from the Gabriola ferry.

There have been a lot of talented students from Gabriola during the last few weeks that have been participating in the Nanaimo Festival, a dance competition where costumes are mandatory. Many of the girls from the Island placed and had excellent scores & performances.

I was one of the lucky moms that watched her daughter dance yesterday in the 4-5 year old tap category, she was part of a group of five girls with fun dresses and bones in their hair. Tapping their shiny black shoes to “meet the flintstones”, they were pleased to be awarded first place. The most beautiful part of it was that there were no other groups in their age category, yet they left the stage with huge smiles and a bit more confidence, I wish more competitions were like this.