School Closure for Gabriola Nov.25

Good Morning!

Just got up to see if we needed to start getting ready for school, as fore casted more snow has accumulated over night. I checked the Nanaimo School District 68 home page, and here's their message:

"Thursday, November 25, 2010 - Schools are CLOSED today due to snow and dangerous driving conditions in many parts of the district."

We're going to go and try out Tina's new ice rink, her husband flooded a tarp in their yard this week and it may just be ready for skating ! Enjoy your day and don't drive if you don't need to.

Gabriola Roads in the Winter

Have you ever wondered what winter road conditions are like on Gabriola when it snows? Well, I'd have to say that I think we measure up pretty well. It seems as though anytime there is a forecast for snow, Emcon (the company that is responsible for maintaining our roads on Gabriola) recruit their drivers and take their machinery on the road. You'll see them set off to clear the main roads first and then they get busy with the smaller roads. Sometimes they work through the night to ensure that our roads are in as good of condition as possible, of course it's always best to stay home but if you have to venture out it is nice to do so on roads that have been cleared.
Wishing you a perfectly wonderful winter day! This is a picture of the snow falling at the Folklife village last night.

Jingle Bell Craft Fair - Beautiful Island Baskets

Elly Hallam, the new Welcome Wagon rep on Gabriola, is busy making baskets for the Jingle Bell Craft Fair at the Golf Course on Saturday from 10 – 3. She loves working with blackberry vine except for the occasional thorn that lingers and her newest passion is working with kelp. If you love handmade baskets, drop by and have a look. She’s also hoping to meet newcomers and moms with new babies who she can soon bring the Welcome Wagon basket to. If you are new to the island (have moved here within the past 6 months) or have a baby under 4 months, please call Elly at 250 247 8792 to find out more.

Gabriola residents learn how the brain works best!

If you're looking to find the way that the brain works best, you may want to attend the public presentation at the Gabriola Elementary School on Wed, Nov 17 from 6:30-8:00. The Gabriola PAC and the Gabriola Parent Participation Preschool are sponsoring Gary Anaka to come to the island to present his material on how the brain learns, what can be done to promote brain function and how to maintain a healthy brain into later years (sounds like something for everyone).

Admission is by donation.

Gabriola Island Ferry - Savings

There are a few ways that you can save money while riding the ferry between Gabriola Island and Nanaimo. Island residents will often purchase a BC Ferries Experience™ Card which is an electronic swipe card that can be loaded with money and used to pay for ferry travel on participating routes. On the Nanaimo-Gabriola route, you pay for a return fare before boarding at the Nanaimo ferry terminal. When you pay for a standard vehicle and driver on the route the fare today would be $30.10, however if you pay using the Experience Card the total fare would be $18.70- that's quite a savings!

Seniors receive free passenger fares Monday to Thursday excluding Statutory Holidays.

If you're traveling for medical appointments you may qualify for the Travel Assistance Program, eligible medical services are outlined on the Ministry of Health Services website.

Also, students travel free between their residence and school, and to attend or participate in school and junior association education and sporting events on the Gabriola -Nanaimo route. As a parent that has kids in weekly swimming lessons in Nanaimo, I find that it makes a difference at the end of the month.

Hope these Savings will help !

Gabriola Winter Art Affair (GWAA)

Mariko McCrae & Sylvie Milman have been working to gather a group of over 30 artists together to open their studios just before Christmas. It's a great opportunity to pick up any items left on your list and of course to buy a few items for yourself to tuck under the tree. This is bound to be a success and we invite you to come to the Island and visit as many of the studios as you can.

Here's a little more info from the event organizers:

2010 Gabriola Winter Art Affair (GWAA)
Saturday, December 18, 11- 5 p.m.

We are pleased to announce the inaugural launch of the 2010 Gabriola Winter Art Affair (GWAA). This year we will be hosting over 30 local artists working in a variety of mediums such as glass, ceramics, jewelry, woodworking, painting, sculpture and textiles. In addition, some of our studios will be featuring accessories such as homemade soaps and apothecaries. Be it an item big or small we assure you that each is made with the utmost care and craftsmanship making each purchase the perfect gift for the ones you love the most.

Located just 20 minutes by ferry from Downtown Nanaimo, you can pick up a Gabriola Art Affair map at Artworks in the Folklife Village Slice of Life Gallery in the Madrona’s Shopping Centre or any participating artist’s studio. All of the artists’ studios are indicated by a an easy-to-spot Igloo poster!

For more information you may contact Sylvie Milman at jupiterranch@shaw.ca or Mariko McCrae at mariko.feedlotstudios@gmail.com

Enjoy a getaway to the “Isle of the Arts” this holiday season… we hope you enjoy!

Gabriola Women's Institute Christmas Bazzar & Tea

There are a few great venues for shopping locally for those that are on your Christmas List this year. The Gabriola Women's Institute has a Christmas Bazaar & Tea coming up on Saturday November 6th from 2-4pm, it will be at the Gabriola Community Hall. Stop by and have a cup of tea while you do your holiday shopping.