Upcoming wellSMART workshop on Gabriola

Properties on Gabriola Island are serviced by private wells or cisterns and sometimes a combination of both. If you're interested in learning more, you may want to attend the wellSmart workshop that will be offered on Gabriola next week.

Here is the information from the Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) has posted on their website:

"Learn how to keep your well in safe running order! wellSMART workshops will provide you with an opportunity to ask questions of local well drillers and pump installers, the Vancouver Island Health Authority, the BC Ministry of Environment, and North Island Labs. North Island labs will be present with sample bottles for residents to take home for testing, and will provide residents with a 10% discount for well water testing.

wellSMART will teach you basics on:
Well protection, maintenance and operation
Your well and your water source
How to get your water tested and interpret results
Water treatment options

Gabriola Island Agricultural Hall6:30pm, Monday, October 4, 2010

265 South Road, Gabriola

Please pre-register through RDN Parks & Recreation REGISTER NOW! or by phone: 250-248-3252 or 1-888-828-2069 "

Septic Systems in Rural Areas

We often have people moving to Gabriola Island from urban areas, one of the topics that comes up early in conversation is about wells and septic systems. All homes on Gabriola are serviced by a private septic system. A conventional septic system includes a septic tank and soil filter called a drainfield. The tanks come in different sizes (current tanks are larger which allows for higher volume), and can be made from concrete, polyethylene or fiberglass.

If you want to increase the longevity of your septic system here are a few things you can do:
* use natural cleaning products
* have your septic system inspected every 3-5 years (or as per your maintenance plan)
* never drive over the drain field
* do not water the grass over the drainfield or plant trees near it
* avoid using powder of flake dishwasher or laundry detergents.
* minimize water use

The Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) offers SepticSmart Household Information Kits & SepticSmart workshops, visit their website to get a copy of the kit or sign up for the workshop.

Gabriola Photography Blog

I recently read a blog that Peter Llewellyn, a photographer on Gabriola, wrote about point and shoot cameras. It's been a year since mine was unfortunately dropped just minutes after receiving it, while it still functioned well for family photos, it didn't do the job for work. I read his article, wrote down the model and headed to Nanaimo for my purchase. I ended up with a similar model, not the same as in the end I realized mine needn't be fast as his, he was photographing Olympic athletes. I'm really enjoying my new camera, it's compact, easy to use, light, has an amazing zoom and takes great photos. I took this shot of the beautiful poppies my mom has growing in her garden with my new Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7. If your interested in photography I would recommend following Peter's blogs and if you have the time take one of his workshops.

Something out of this WORLD

Something out of this world, is happening this weekend (feb 19/20/21)at Jupiter Ranch (http://www.jupiterranch.com/) on Gabriola Island. While this island is renowned for the number of artists it attracts, Sylvie Milman, the owner of the Jupiter Ranch B&B, is keeping the arts community on its toes.


Bringing in new inspiration and opening her beautiful studio as a classroom, she has a guest artist Dominik Modlinski here to teach beginner and intermediate painters who wish to expand their knowledge of acrylic painting techniques while enhancing their perception and creative visualization. Dominik will introduce colour exercises based on three primary colours and white to introduce students to colour mixing and achieving unlimited colour harmonies. Randi is signed up to attend, and we're hoping to see some colorful canvases at the end of the weekend. Sumbitted by Tina Lynch.

Say "cheese"

On a Tuesday night, Harvest Thyme drew in a group of over 20 Gabriola “foodies” to learn how to make cheese. The setting was very easy going and the instructors Robyn Klaassen and Tammy Waybull were interactive and a pleasure to learn from, sharing some of the minor mishaps that can occur in the kitchen, which seemed to just transform the cheese into another form. The key ingredient for both the Mozzarella and the Indian Paneer Cheese was a 4 litre jug of Milk, and a few minor supplies that are available at Harvest Thyme Whole Foods for a nominal cost. In just under 2 hours, we learned to make two types of cheeses, an impressive accomplishment that I’m sure I’ll be praised for at future dinner parties.

The new owners of Harvest Thyme and their staff seem to be taking off with a lot of energy and farm fresh ideas, to keep informed on what they have going on, you can subscribe to their newsletter at