A great place for Animal Lovers

Gabriola seems to draw quite a number of people with a love of animals. It's noticeable by the number of organizations you'll find here that are devoted to helping and rescuing our two & four legged friends or our winged companions.

Gabriola Rescue of Wildlife Society provides care for injured or orphaned wildlife, to find more about them or join them as a volunteer visit http://www.growls.ca/about.php .

Big Heart Rescue recently raised over $4000.00 at the Skol pub in one night, this organization is dedicated to helping animals in BC that are in need, to find out about adopting or fostering one of their rescues please visit http://www.bigheartrescue.com/aboutus.htm .

If you like cats, Gabriola Cats Alive rescues abandoned cats. If you've lost an animal, the first place to check is Gabriola Pet Find the number to reach them at is 250.247.8654.

In addition to the many organizations, the island also has an amazing vetrinary clinic, run by owners Thomas Uhlig & Patricia Leather, Twin Cedars, #250-247-9185. The island is lucky to have their services as they offer exceptional care of our favorite four legged friends!

BC Ferries - Winter Super Sails

BC Ferries Winter Super Sail runs from December 1, 2008 - January 31, 2009

BC Ferries is making it easier for you to visit families, friends and loved ones during the holidays with the BC Ferries Winter Super Sail. From December 1st until January 31st 2009 you can save 33% on all fares and all routes. These savings apply to all passengers and all vehicles on all sailings from Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland to the Gulf Islands and the Sunshine Coast.*

On Gabriola, with a pre-paid pass, that means that a car & driver return is now $12.45 reduced from $18.55 - Christmas has come early to the islanders...

If your planning on travelling on the mainland ferries over the holiday season, you may want to make a reservation, and check the schedules for any additional and cut sailings, to help ensure your travel plans go smooth, you can make your reservations online at: https://www.bcferries.com/bcftravelcentre .

*Assured Loading Tickets and reservation fees for the Vancouver-Vancouver Island and Horseshoe Bay-Langdale routes are not included in this promotion.

December 1st - Countdown to the Holidays...

Living on Gabriola, known as the Island of the Arts there is never any shortage of great local gift giving ideas... With the holiday season approaching so quickly, here are a few more of our favorites...

Music CD’s – the Kerplunks http://www.thekerplunks.com/
Kerplunks: If you have kids on your list then the kerplunks CD is a great gift… The Kerplunks play fun and educational kids' music focusing on all the different musical instruments. Toot your horn and strum that bass, The Kerplunks really get you groovin'. The Kerplunks were recently Canadian Folk Music “Children’s Album of the Year”. You can visit their website online to hear a sampling of the cheerful and upbeat music of Dinah D and Tina Jones.


Jewellery @ Artworks
On display & sale currently at Artworks you’ll find a spectacular jewellery shoe featuring some of the islands most popular artists including; Paprika, Moonshine Studio, Yuma Designs, Kate Woods, Lindsey Godfrey & Maureen O’Connor. The stunning creations are sure to light up the face of your loved ones on Christmas morning!


Merrell Shoes @ Colleen’s located at: 580 North Road
Since the island is so full of places to explore a good pair of walking shoes are always appreciated… “MERRELL is dedicated to the outdoor journey of discovery -the search for self-knowledge, meaning, friendship, and fulfillment that links the world's people who enjoy the outdoors. Whether born on the mountain or raised in the city, enjoyment of the outdoor is independent of age, income, occupation or culture.” On the island where we love our time outdoors this may be the perfect gift of comfort & Colleen’s has lots of styles to choose from, in addition to her family fashions & home furnishings…


A Gift of Relaxation Registered Massage Therapist: 250-247-7667
How about an hour or a half hour massage from one of our islands registered massage therapist, Tammy Birch. Melt away your stress. Feel the tension just slip away as you experience a blissfully luxurious session…


Gabriola Elementary School Craft Fair December 6 @ Gabriola Elementary
This is an exciting opportunity featuring a variety of island artists so you can do your shopping all in one place! In addition to the craft fair the famous cookie walk is a great way to support school activities, while avoiding the Christmas baking – but be early the cookies disappear quickly & the doors open at 10:00 am. There is also the very popular silent auction table with all sorts of some of the best the island has to offer, and because the money is going to such a worthy cause, you can feel good about your Christmas shopping!

Happy Holiday Shopping!

Life's treasures & simple pleasures on the beach!

We've recently been working away on renovations to our home and had a local stone masonry suggest that we send the kids on a treasure hunt to find some old spikes to use around the mantle piece.

The exact location for this treasure hunt, the beach in front of Degnen Bay Road, on Gabriola. The kids were in search of long rusty spikes that once were used to hold together a boat, while they aren't something we'd like to see on our shores it's something that can be taken & reclaimed as long as your careful. For us the transformation of these spikes was from garbage on the ocean floor to hooks for our kids Christmas stockings. Submitted by: Tina Lynch

Gabriola Players presents "Rumpelstiltskin"

The Gabriola Players are set to present “Rumpelstiltskin” at the Gabriola Community Hall. Last year, they did an amazing performance of Cinderella that entertained a very pleased audience, at the end of the performance the Fairy God Mother in true style handed over her wand to a very delighted child, proving that dreams do come true!

Tickets are at Artworks and are $12 for adults, $5 for youths and children 5 and under are free with a food donation that will go to the People for a Healthy Community. Evening performances on Thursday Nov 27 & Sat Nov 29 at 7pm, Matinee will be on Sat Nov 29 & Sun Nov 30 at 1:30.

A boat seems to sit perfectly with the Island Life.

You’ll find a variety of options for boaters when you arrive on Gabriola, BC offers one of the best coastlines to explore. Courses are offered for novices and those wanting to learn a bit more, you’ll often see a Boat Safe course or Power Squadrons course advertised in one of the local papers. You may want to moore your boat at Silva Bay Resort & Marina or Pages Marina, or put a mooring buoy in Degnen Bay to make your boat excursions a little easier. You’ll need to ensure that your mooring buoy is properly marked and maintained, to ensure that you are in compliance with the Private Buoy Regulations in the Canada Shipping Act2001, this information can be found on Transport Canada’s website @ http://www.tc.gc.ca/actsregulations/GENERAL/C/csa/regulations/050/csa053/csa53.html.

If your interested in sea-going adventures, you may consider joining the Silva Bay Yacht Club http://www.silvabayyachtclub.com/ , a great place to meet other Islanders that share the same love of the sea.

Free Range Eggs

These eggs come from a charming hobby farm in the south end of Gabriola, located at the corner of Islands South Road & Islands View. They make great omelets, waffles and most of the baking. One of the great things about them is they didn’t have to travel far, about 75 feet from the chicken coop to the stand.

I notice that they have a light on in the stand now, a great way to take advantage of the shorter day light hours and extend the shopping hours for neighbors & tourists alike. You’ll find a variety of road side stands on Gabriola, giving you lots of choices & opportunities to support the people in the community and appreciating local food.