Upcoming wellSMART workshop on Gabriola

Properties on Gabriola Island are serviced by private wells or cisterns and sometimes a combination of both. If you're interested in learning more, you may want to attend the wellSmart workshop that will be offered on Gabriola next week.

Here is the information from the Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) has posted on their website:

"Learn how to keep your well in safe running order! wellSMART workshops will provide you with an opportunity to ask questions of local well drillers and pump installers, the Vancouver Island Health Authority, the BC Ministry of Environment, and North Island Labs. North Island labs will be present with sample bottles for residents to take home for testing, and will provide residents with a 10% discount for well water testing.

wellSMART will teach you basics on:
Well protection, maintenance and operation
Your well and your water source
How to get your water tested and interpret results
Water treatment options

Gabriola Island Agricultural Hall6:30pm, Monday, October 4, 2010

265 South Road, Gabriola

Please pre-register through RDN Parks & Recreation REGISTER NOW! or by phone: 250-248-3252 or 1-888-828-2069 "

Make a stop on the tour and visit the studio of Alice Rich

Alice Rich welcomes you to her studio & gallery to view her original paintings and prints with Contemporary and West Coast themes. Alice paints semi-abstract with impressionistic layers of colour. At the October Thanksgiving Tour it is fun to enjoy a visual conversation and experience.

You'll find her at studio #17, her work is very vibrant and definitely worth making a stop for.

Art Tour: Introducing the work of Simone Bell

As we get ready for the Studio Tour, we will begin to introduce you to the works of some of the artists opening their studios on Thanksgiving weekend. Today's artist is Simone Bell, I have a few pieces made from her and love them, they range from decorative to functional, and lots of times a mix of both.

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Simone Bell
As a Ceramic Artist I first create my canvass which is either two or three dimensional. I work with 5 types of clay creating porcelain jewelry, raku wall art and high fire functional pieces. Some of the many themes that inspire me are the stunning natural beauty of the West Coast, whimsical creatures (such as mermaids), spirituality and our human emotions. My functional pieces are art you can use and I hope the decorative ones are a unique way to add beauty to your home. Come see for yourself at the Island of Peace Yoga Centre beside the Co-op.

The Artists of Gabriola & the upcoming STUDIO TOUR!

The 14th annual Thanksgiving Studio Tour is just around the corner and the artists on Gabriola are working away getting their art and studios ready for you. The Gabriola Arts Council helps to facilitate this successful event which will feature the work of at least 39 Island Artists. The Tour is held on October 9-11th 2010 from 10am -4pm, pick up a map/guide at Artworks (in the Village) and see some of the artists work on display.

To kick off this event, we will be featuring a few artists from the tour on our blog during the next two and a half weeks, hope you are tempted !

Can you keep active on Gabriola? I think so.

If you are considering moving to Gabriola, but you aren't sure if there is enough to do here to keep busy then you might want to take a look at the Fall Programs put out by the Gabriola Recreation office. There are also classes and groups that you can join that aren't on the list, reading groups, choirs, art groups and so much more. I think that you'd find there is more than enough here to keep you active while you enjoy the island lifestyle.

FALL PROGRAMS - 2010

Registration/Info. at Rec. Office, Rollo McClay Park, 1100 McClay Way

250-247-2014; gabrec@telus.net. Please pre-register to ensure classes “go”.

Info. subject to change. Check our website at: www.gabriolarecreation.org.

ADULTS & TEENS

KARATE (Ages 8+) Mondays: 5:00 – 6:30 p.m.; GES Gym; $30/month; $7 drop-in. Learn from certified instructors; gain strength, balance, flexibility, endurance. Progress at your own pace through belt levels.

FENCING (Ages 12+): Mondays, Sept. 13 – Dec. 6 (cancel Oct. 11/Nov. 22, 7:30 – 9:30 p.m; Community Hall; with Spade de Gabriola club, led by instructors Alex McConnell & Imelda Cuthbertson.

Adults: $45; Youth: $25; equipment available. Please wear non-marking runners, long sleeves & pants. Drop-ins: $4 with own equipment; $6 if using club equipment. Beginners welcome.

POWER HOUR: Mon. & Wed., 8:30 – 9:30 a.m., Community Hall. Sept. 20 – Oct. 27 (cancel Oct. 11);

Nov. 1 – Dec. 15 (cancel Nov. 22/24). Up tempo fitness class with instructor Kathryn Sobko aimed at improving cardio, strength and flexibility. $54/session; $50 fitpass; $6 drop-in

BADMINTON (Ages 14+): Tues. Sept. 21 – Dec. 7 (cancel Nov. 23), 7 – 8:30 p.m., Community Hall

For beginners/intermediate with instructor Dave Wong. $48/session; $5 drop-in.

WALK FIT – Jumpstart! Sept. 21 – Oct. 28; Tues. 10 a.m, or Thurs. 5:30 p.m; $25. Meet at Rollo McClay Park GRS office in the portable building. This gentle program with Susan Brooks is for those not currently walking regularly & aimed at getting you started on a routine. Includes warm up/cool down stretches, tips on nutrition, preventing injury & more.

PILATES: Thurs. Sept. 23 – Dec. 9, 3 – 4 p.m; GES; $120/session; $12 drop-in. Learn the basics of mat pilates with instructor Mara Brenner: breathing, joint stabilization, strengthening core & back muscles. Adaptable to all ages, fitness levels

GENEALOGY: Sept. 28 & 30, 10 a.m. – 12; Commons; $50. Everyone has ancestors. Learn how to find yours - where the information is & how to access it. Fill in your own family tree & discover your heritage! Instructors Margaret Mann & Jacquie Jessup are certified by the Nat. Institute for Genealogical Studies.

LEARN TO KNIT: Mon. Oct. 4 – Nov. 8, 1:30 – 3 p.m; W.I.Hall; $54, plus $5 knitting kit. Longtime teacher & artist Leni Balaban will show you how to master the basic skills – knit, purl, cast on & off, do ribbing, joining yarns, & finishing. Participants will complete a stitch sampler & simple project.

Interest Lists (contact GRS office): Emergency First Aid workshop, incl. CPR-C; Introduction to Reiki

KIDS’ STUFF

BALLET with Miss Mara. Fall session: Sept. 21 – Dec. 8; GES Gym.

Mara Brenner is a longtime teacher, trained in Danish Ballet technique and pilates, with considerable experiencein performance, choreography, and theatre. Since moving to Gabriola, her students have performed at numerous special events around the Island. Costume fees extra.

GRADES 1 – 3: Tuesdays, 3 – 4. Barre/centre work; lots of dance exploration with emphasis on fun! $105

GRADES 5 – 7: Tuesdays, 4 – 5:30 p.m. Focus on strong technique, artistry & choreography. $150

GRADES 3 – 5: Wednesdays, 3 – 4:30 p.m. Time at barre & centre with focus on alignment, body awareness; explore lyrical dance, creative choreography, journaling and performance. $150

MORE KIDS’ STUFF

TENNIS: Thurs. Sept. 16 – Oct. 14, Huxley Park (weather permitting); volunteer run; $2 drop-in

(Ages 8 – 12): 3:15 – 4:15 p.m; (Ages 13 – 16): 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. Let us know if you need a racquet.

BADMINTON: Fridays, Sept. 17 – Oct. 29; with instructor Dave Wong. Learn basic strokes, rules of the game, strategy. (Ages 6 – 9): 2:30 – 3:30 p.m.; (Ages 10 – 13): 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.; $25; $4 drop-in. Parent participation with younger kids encouraged.

GYMNASTICS with NCCP level 2 instructor Mia Goodall; Sun. Sept. 19 – Nov. 14; Comm. Hall

Gymnastics improves strength, flexibility & co-ordination while building confidence & self esteem.

Mia incorporates fun, fitness & the fundamentals of the Cangym program into every lesson.

Parent/Tot: 10 – 10:45 ; $56; Ages 5 - 7: 11 – 12; $72; Ages 3 – 4:12 – 1 pm; $72

MELODYMAKERS (Ages 2 – 5): Wed. Oct. 6 – Nov. 10, 1 – 2 p.m; Community Hall; $48

Musical merriment with Tina Jones and Dinah D. from the Kerplunks. Join this entertaining duo with their multi- instruments, songs, stories & musical crafts for some great fun. Parents welcome! * Please pre-reg.*

BABYSITTER TRAINING (Ages 11+): Sun. Nov. 7; 9 a.m. – 3 p.m; $50. Learn child care skills,

1st aid, injury prevention, games & crafts, your rights & responsibilities; with instructor Cindy Cormons.

SOME COMMUNITY PROGRAMS – volunteer based

At the School: (Ages 14+) GES Gym; 6:30 – 8:30 p.m; Sept. 13 – Apr. 29 (cancelled during school closures)

Monday: Volleyball; Thursday: Badminton; drop-ins: $2 - $5 depending on turnout

At the Community Hall: TAI CHI: Mon. 9:45 am; WOMEN’S BADMINTON: Mon. 2 – 4/Thurs. 7 – 9 pm.

SPINNERS & WEAVERS: meet 1^st Mon. of month, downstairs

At the Agi. Hall: TAI CHI: Mon. & Wed.; ph: 247-9901 for current schedule; GARDEN CLUB: 1^st Thurs. of mo. 7 pm; $10/yr.; $2 drop-in; COFFEEHOUSE: last Fri. of month, 7 pm;

BALL HOCKEY: Sun. 2 p.m; Huxley Park, lacrosse box (behind tennis courts); bring your own gear!

PICKLEBALL: Huxley Park, lacrosse box, weather permitting; Tues./Fri./Sun. 9 – 11 a.m.

SOCCER: Sun. 2 p.m.; School Field, weather permitting; drop-in $2

TENNIS: Huxley Pk; in season; see sign on fence for mens/womens/mxd. doubles times; $20 yr.

WALKING GROUP: Wed. 10 a.m; meets at a different location each week; 247-9774

It's starting to feel like fall on Gabriola

Well the weather has definitely become a bit cooler in the last week and the kids are back in school, so it's beginning to feel like fall. Yesterday, we went to the Fall Fair which was held at the Commons. Despite the weather it was a very well attended event, with lots of local vegetables, music and good food. My daughter is in Miss Mara's dance class, so we went and watched them perform in the rain. Janet from Three Gate Farms had some fleece and was set up so that you could do some felting at her booth, she sells beautiful fleece and may even have a felting course coming up.

Gabriola Arts Council is looking for the kids to help create MAGIC

The Gabriola Arts Council is looking for students from grades 1 to 6 attending Gabriola Elementary School or Home Schooled on Gabriola to create an image for the“Do you believe in Magic?” contest. They can’t wait to see the submissions dropped off at Coast Realty (Folklife Village) by the upcoming deadline on Wed SEPT 8 at 4pm. Here are a few rules, then it’s up to you to create the magic:


1) 8.5 X 11 inch piece of paper
2) Crayon or paint accepted
3) May incorporate words
4) The theme is “Do you believe in magic?”
4) Must have name, age, grade & phone number on BACK of artwork (**not on front)
5) Drop it off by the deadline

The Gabriola Arts Council is looking forward to seeing white paper magically transformed into works of arts that they can use to design a poster for an upcoming event, and the GRAND PRIZE will be an Ice Cream Party for five friends (and the young artist) at Mad Rona’s. For full information on the contest please see the Sounder.