It’s blue skies today!

Gabriola is fortunate to have a climate with moderate temperatures, with dry summers and wet winters. The average summer temperature on the island is about 20-25°C, and although our winters may be wet at times they seldom go below freezing. The average annual rainfall is about 34.5 inches, giving Islanders the perfect opportunity to stay by the fire and read a novel. For now, it looks like more sunshine heading our way. To view the 14 day trend visit the Weather Network http://www.theweathernetwork.com/fourteenday/cabc0108 .

Gabriola Island - Holiday Shopping Continued

With the holiday season upon us, we wanted to continue sharing some of “island ideas” & showcase some island businesses, to help make your holiday shop easier.…

Gabriola Island Winery http://www.gabriolawinery.com/
This new family based business, has just released a Merlot & Port this year, we are very excited to support the islands first production vineyard. There is a limited quantity, so you’ll want to get your hands on a bottle or two! They opened a tasting room in Summer 2008.

These are only a sampling of what is available. On an island with so many talented artisans, musicians, popular Bed & breakfasts, retreats, health & fitness opportunities, local merchants & entrepreneurs - there are no shortage of gift giving ideas, and how better to support the community than by buying local.

Gabriola Shale www.gabriolamuseum.org/shale.html#To_Buy
How about a subscription to SHALE, the journal that celebrates and records the rich ecology, history, and pre-history of Gabriola, Mudge, and De Courcy Islands, and the surrounding area of the Strait of Georgia, on the northwest coast of North America. These are a very interesting read, and give lots of history about the island and surrounding areas.

The last one isn’t from the island, but makes a wonderful gift…

Eco-friendly reusable bags. Billions of plastic bags end up in our landfills each year. There are a variety of different bags to suit individual tastes. One
of the website that sell these bags are: http://www.reusablebags.com/store/shopping-bags-c-2.html

Happy Holiday Shopping!

Gabriola Island - Holiday Shopping

With the holiday season upon us, we wanted to share some of “island ideas” & showcase some island businesses, over the next couple of weeks, to help make your holiday shop easier.…

New Society Publishers http://www.newsociety.com/
New Society Publishers, is now a 20 year old island company who’s mission is to publish books that contribute in fundamental ways to building an ecologically sustainable and just society. They employ approx. 12 island residents, including the two owners. They offer a wide variety of books & some fabulous green building books & cookbooks – that we have in our personal collection.

Greenbeans http://www.greenbeans.ca/
This relatively new island online company offers a healthier more environmentally friendly alternative to plastic water bottle & thermos bottles. They also offer hemp bags, everything from market bags to backpacks. We have had opportunity to use the klean kanteens that they offer for sale, and would highly recommend them!

Gabriola Coffee Company e. organiccoffeeongab@shaw.ca
Gabriola Coffee Co. features 100% Certified Organically grown coffee beans, custom roasted and blended to please the most discerning coffee lover. Their roasting process develops the coffee's peak aromatic characteristics resulting in the perfect cup, smooth and rich in flavour and aroma. Email Di for additional information on their variety of offerings – this is a great way to wake up on Christmas morning!

Happy Shopping!

Local Government Elections

Greetings Islanders -

Just a reminder that Election Polls are open Saturday November 15th, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

All residents and non-resident property owners may vote at the following locations:

* Gabriola Elementary School - North Road, or
* RDN Admin Office - 6300 Hammond Bay Road, Nanaimo.

VOTE EARLY if you can, as this greatly reduces the demands on volunteers & scrutineers on election day.

To vote, take two pieces of ID to the polls, one with photo ID, in case you're not on the Elector's List.

Official voting details, including voter eligibility and how non-resident property owners can vote, are available at the RDN website at: www.rdn.bc.ca, or by calling 250-390-4111.

Submitted by: Vote Rural Organizing Committee

Growing Beyond the Market Place...

With the current situation in Real Estate we have decided to focus on marketing Gabriola Island in other areas and to investigate marketing tools and trends. Randi & Jennifer have just returned from attending NAR (National Association of Realtors) in Orlando. This 4 day event features key note speakers such as Lance Armstrong and Joe Theismann, provides numerous seminars in marketing, green sustainable living ideas and technology, and has an expo with over 500 exhibitors with leading edge products.

We also plan to have Jennifer & myself attend the BANFF Western Connection from Jan 31- Feb.2, as we feel networking locally & internationally are both key components in our Real Estate business.
During the next few months you'll see that we'll be implementing some of the new ideas that we learn and we will be working on integrating new technology into our business.

Getting Rooted in Community…

In keeping with a tradition our family has started, and wanting to help share & create something for future generations on Gabriola, we have made a donation this year of the Blueberry plants to the Gabriola Commons, an organization committed to community service & sustainable living.

Next Saturday, October 25th after much planning and preparation by the volunteers of the Gabriola Commons, the Blueberries are going to be planted. If you have some time to spare between 9:30 and noon, we could use some extra hands (green thumbs or not) to help with the planting. For newcomers & long time residents this provides a great opportunity to help create something for future generations, as well an opportunity to meet some new people and get rooted in the community.

While there make sure to check out the Apple Orchard, the community garden, the new beautifully crafted cob fence, and the many upcoming events and volunteer opportunities.

We look forward to seeing you there! Remember to bring some garden gloves & gum boots (in Gabriola fashion)…

Gabriola's Green Parade

Gabriola Islander Day was a huge success again this year, thanks to the efforts of the many volunteers! One of the most significant evolutions of the Fall Fair was the change to a “Green” parade, as thought up by one of the events committee members.

The idea behind the green parade was to park all the vehicles that would normally be traveling in the parade, turn the engines off, and instead have the on-lookers do the walking. This year the route went from the Village to the Gabriola Commons where much of the events took place. The Fire Department was at the start, so we had the opportunity to enjoy the drumming that was happening at the Village, and the amazing costumes that the stilt walkers wore, to lead the parade…

Even in it’s first year, the Green Parade was a hit, instead of the Fire Trucks driving down the road with sirens and lights, (which is my favorite part) we had the opportunity to show the public some of the equipment we carry on the truck, give tours of the truck and hand out public safety brochures…

In the afternoon the “green” parade shifted to a Fashion show, made up of local islanders on the runway, modeling an array of new fashions produced by the islands artisans, and gorgeous recycled outfits from GIRO (Gabriola Islands Recycling Organization) that looked like they were straight from the pages of the latest fashion magazines!

I’m looking forward to seeing what the many volunteers come up with next year in carrying the theme forward!