Ride to Conquer Cancer

 Vanessa, Tina, Guy & Mike - our Gabriola Heroes

This past weekend marked a pretty special occasion for our family, my sister Tina Lynch & husband Guy Parcher participated in the Ride to Conquer Cancer, in honour of our dad Jack Lynch.

Our dad who was diagnosed with terminal, asbestos related lung cancer in July 2011 and I remember how happy he was when Tina and Guy told him that they were doing this ride for him – he was hopeful that it might make a difference for others.

Right now, 2 in 5 people will hear the words: "You have cancer' in their lifetime, and the ride works to change that.” The ride raised over $11.2 million dollars for the BC Cancer foundation, and monies raised went back to the communities that they were fundraised in.

The journey took them from Vancouver down to Seattle and despite the downpour of rain, there were people all along the way to cheer on and provide some much appreciated encouragement to the riders. There on the finish line we watched them cross the line on Father’s day – my dad’s spirit with them, it was so moving watching all the riders come through – I know he would have been so proud of them all!

To all those of you who supported the riders - thanks so much for your generosity...

The Ride to Conquer Cancer: 6 Gabriola Islanders in training!

There are 6 Gabriola residents that are taking an amazing journey. We'll be participating in a two-day major cycling (over 200km) event called The Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer benefiting BC Cancer Foundation. We've joined up with a team from Nanaimo called "Nanaimo Rides Again" and are aiming to raise over $100,000 between now and June 16 2012.
Already the experience has been amazing for me, I'm using this to experience to show my kids that you can make a difference and you can be the change. Many of you may know that my dad is battling terminal cancer, so this will be a very emotional journey, but I feel so supported by my family, friends and the community of Gabriola.

We have people joining us on training rides to keep our motivation up, Lesley Standerwick is helping us train, local businesses are supporting us and people chipping in any way they can.

We are planning a Beer & Burger night for the end of Feb, we're doing a bottle drive on Jan 6 (please let us know if you have any bottles to donate), and we'll be spinning in Nanaimo at Walmart on Jan 29 and at the Maple Sugar Festival on Feb 12. This is just the start of our fundraising activities, the more we raise the more we have to find the cure. Right now 2 out of 5 people will hear the words "you have cancer" in their lifetime, we need to change this for my family and for yours.

Please take a minute and visit our personal pages and if you'd like to donate online to either Tina or her husband Guy Parcher or one of the other riders, please do it today so that you can take advantage of the 100% tax deduction for your 2011 taxes, what a way to finish of the year!

submitted by: Tina Lynch

Atworks - Just in time for Valentines

The annual Erotica show opens up this Thursday on Feb 3 at 7pm at Artworks in the Folklife Village on Gabriola. It's always a bit of a risque show with lots of on the edge art and its all about Valentines. You'll see some racy art, lots of skin and may want to partake in the wine tasting going on. It's a good time, they do warn that parental discretion is advised (I"d have to agree). If you get a chance to go, check out my piece "she liked to play dress up", she's the first doll I've made and she's ready for some fun.

Submitted by : Tina Lynch

Gabriola Elementary School Christmas Craft Fair

Tina & I will be heading to display our new creations, with our good friend Jane, at the Gabriola Christmas Craft Fair at the Elementary School this Saturday, December 4th from 10 am – 3 pm. We welcome you to come by for a little visit and see what we’ve been up to in the evenings.

There’s a little something for everyone, from glam jewellery, a flock of whimsical “party” birds, to the new series of paintings by Tina, auntie Jane's handsewn owls, and tutus for all of islands princesses– there are some great gift giving ideas, for you & yours.

In addition there are over 38 artists who will have a wide variety of offerings everything from honey, pottery, metal works, and so much more.

Also, please stop by the silent auction table in the front, when we’re not at our table we’ll be looking after the Silent Auction. To date we have nearly 100 treasures that will be on display, from gorgeous jewellery, to firewood, gift certificates, excavation services and so much more…

There’s also the cookie walk, which sells out quickly but has a wide array of baked goods to choose from.

It’s a great way to shop local while supporting our local Elementary School.

Gabriola - Thanks for Giving!

Tina and I would like to welcome you to our stuido (#20) during the upcoming Thanksgiving weekend. We've got a fresh array of new works to share with you, something for your walls, your table, your mantle and you! The studio will be open from 10-4 (Oct 9-11).

The Marathon.

It's now been almost two weeks since I ran my first marathon, a goal I've held for as long as I can remember. This year, I knew that this would be the year for me to do it. I've realized over the past few years that life can change in an instant, and I knew that I was in a time of my life when I had the physical ability to complete it.

I joined the Running Room in Nanaimo and completed my first half marathon in the Spring of 2009 and continued the training for the Victoria Marathon.

Some weeks of training went better than others, and there were a few little challenges that would pop up (limited sleep,work,young children, sunshine, camping, life, etc). I really enjoyed the process, and for me the nerves built as October 11 drew nearer, I was lucky enough to have the pressure of creating enough paintings for the Gallery Tour to distract me. On Saturday night, Lesley Standerwick, Keli Stapp and I packed up the car, left Gabriola and headed for Victoria.

My anxiety hit as we we're driving and I realized that I was in the car with two personal trainers- what was I thinking ? I started to relax as they brought out a two pound bag of jelly beans for the drive and told me that we we're going to have dinner at 9 when we got to Victoria, this was more my style.

The three of us completed our first marathons on October 11th. I couldn't imagine going through the process on my own and was so pleased to share this experience with such supportive and knowledgeable friends. It was a beautiful day, the sun was shining, there was no wind, and we had friends and family there to cheer us on along the way. (Submitted by: Tina Lynch)

Coast Realty - Future Focus Group

Last week, Jennifer and I went to Coast Realty's head office in Nanaimo to take part in a future focus group. This group included 17 Coast Realty Representatives from all of our offices. We're looking at helping our company to come up with a strategic plan and a clear vision for the future, and ensuring that we stay up with technology. We feel that by participating in this process we can help to ensure that our company continues to meet the expectations of our clients, and that our company can support us in the level of customer service we strive to provide. If you, as our clients, have any input that you would like us to bring forward, please let us know.

Art : The Local Buzz

Well, if you we're out on the Gallery Tour during this past weekend you will have noticed that a lot of studios had a great energy buzz happening. After a 6 year break from being on the tour (2 children born during this time), I was excited and nervous to go back on. This is what my studio/living room (#14 on the tour) looked like for the weekend. If your looking at coming to the Island to immerse yourself in the arts and develop your own artistic endeavours, then I'd have to say this is the right place to do it. The tour was great, I met a lot of people, had a great time, appreciated the feedback and made some sales. I have a lot to be thankful for and I'll be back on again next year.

My 6 yr old daughter, displayed a few paintings and made 4 sales, proof of the supportive community here.