Gabriola Scooters : The MS Cowichan Valley Grape Escape

We've just completed a great weekend at the MS Cowichan Valley Grape Escape with 6 members from Gabriola, together the "Gabriola Scooters" raised over $7633.  This was a lot of fun, a variety of routes to choose from, a beautiful campus to stay at, well organized and there were plenty of wine tasting opportunities. The bike ride started at 10am on Saturday, we rode for about 10 minutes and came to our first winery, from there on, we would ride to the next winery (usually a 6-8km distance) and sample another glass or two.  It was easy to purchase wine along the way, as you would make your wine selection and they would deliver it to the dorm for the end of the day.  The dinner at Shawnigan Lake School was delicious and the dorm rooms were immaculate, a really stunning setting.  On Sunday we were back on our bikes at 9am to hit the pavement to a few more wineries.  This is sure to be an annual event for us, we hope you can join us next year!

Advent - Day 1

Nothing like starting the advent season by sorting almost $2,000 worth of Purdy's chocolates for a local fundraiser.

Community….

I’m often asked why I think Gabriola is such a special place and I can truly sum it up in one word – community. It’s amazing how strong the sense of community is, and it’s a little bit almost overwhelming the generosity of this special place we call home.

My Dad (aka my hero and best friend) was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer this year, it was a complete shock to the family and to my Dad. We have been overwhelmed by the support for the family in this difficult time, and feel fortunate that we do have the opportunity of time.

My sister wanted to have something positive to focus on during this time, and I’m very proud of her, last week she signed up for the ride to conquer cancer, a 2 day 200km cycling event from Vancouver to Enbridge. Within a couple of days signing up, she was inundated with friends, family & community that wanted to take the ride with her. There are many others that offered their support to help make this long ride a little easier by; running a training program, graphic support, artwork donations, financial donations in benefit of cancer research, and the list goes on…

I’m truly amazed and humbled by all the people of Gabriola and their amazing generosity, we are so grateful for being part of this community.

Please take the time to check out her personal page for the ride, Team Papa.

Animal Magnetism- Gabriola ART Fundraiser for GROWLS

There are so many amazing groups and organizations on this Island that really create the community that we all love and want to be part of. One of the groups that I find amazing is GROWLS (Gabriola Rescue of Wildlife Society), take them and team them up with Feedlot Studios and Sylvie Milman and you have a powerhouse team on your hands. I've been watching them as they energetically gather artists and create a fundraiser called "Animal Magnetism", it's a salon style show to help them raise awareness for GROWLS. The show will run from June 11-30 at Feedlot Studios, 800 Valli place. GROWLS is a registered non-profit society whose mandate is the rescue of ill, injured or otherwise disabled wildlife and the preservation of natural wildlife habitat on Gabriola. British Columbia. Their main role is to rescue and transport injured or sick animals to a veterinarian or one of the wildlife recovery facilities on Vancouver Island and Salt Spring Island. They also visit the schools and educate to the youth about the wildlife on Gabriola and ways that they can help, even the worms after a rainfall.

Come check out the art at the opening on Saturday June 11th from 1-5 @ Feedlot Studios.

Be our Dinner Guest ! and raise money for the Gabriola Commons

The Commons has organized "Community Dinners" to fundraise some money. We've chosen to host a dinner, if you want to be a "diner" I've attached a few of the menu's that I know about below as well as info about the events. We'd love to see you at our house ! Apparently they are filling up, call Heide to reserve a spot.

*Commons Community Dinners. Join us for a delicious meal, an opportunity to share ideas, to give feedback to The Commons, and to help us raise money in a new and different way. Send all questions, offers and reservations to Heide, 250-247-7384 or heidebrown@shaw.ca.
For potential diners:
1.Choose the Dinner Party you'd like to attend. Suggested donation to the Commons for this memorable experience is $30 per person. 2.Contact Heide to make your reservation. 3.Bring your own beverage. 4.Enjoy the meal and company.

Here's a list of the dinners that I know of:

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CHRISTINE

French salmon dinner. May 1, at 6:00

MENU Fondue Parmesan Caesar Salad Salmon Mousse Quiche Creme Caramel
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NAOMI

Saturday, March 6th Time: 6:30

MENU Hot apple cider Filo wrapped chard/nettle Winter squash soup Lasagna Fresh focacia bread Salad Rhubard/blackberry pie

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TINA LYNCH

Friday, March 12 Time: 6:30

SEAFOOD MENU Prawn appy Salmon & Crab dinner Cheese Cake dessert

Gabriola helps Haiti (Island to Island)

I think we all felt a huge sense of compassion and sympathy for all of those in Haiti when we heard the news about the Earth Quake. Within days of hearing about the event, the Gabriola community had already organized a fundraiser, including a fantastic array of musicians, snacks and a silent auction. The “Help Haiti” fundraiser will take place at the Gabriola Community Hall tomorrow night starting at 7:30pm, I think I’m going to stretch my kids bed time so that they can see the value of a community pulling together to help those in desperate need.
I’ve included the paintings that my 6yr old daughter and I donated for the silent auction, let’s hope there’s a good turn out for another Island that needs our help. (submitted by: Tina Lynch)
Tickets are $20 at Artworks.
UPDATE: We attended the fundrasier and when we arrived it was standing room only, over $14,000 was raised (which will be matched by the gov't). I'm so impressed that Gabriola could achieve this so quickly !

Gabriola 6 yr old hits the pool!

Last year we took our kids to swim lessons at the Beban Pool in Nanaimo, which just happened to be at the same time that the Nanaimo Diamonds Synchronized Swimming Club trains. This year, my daughter talked us into signing her up for the team. The clubs first fundraiser was a swim-a-thon, after only once class I have to admit that I was a bit apprehensive about the situation. Bianca, my six year old daughter, led her little brother and dad around the neighborhood and collected pledges, our community is very giving and I’m not surprised that she raised $145 in an afternoon, but I am very thankful. The swim-a-thon went great, she swam with the use of a kickboard for 50 solid minutes and managed to get in 16 laps. Her little brother was kept busy too, he had made up a sign and ran up and down beside the pool cheering her on. Submitted by: Tina LYNCH