November 30, 2006. Light Up, for the Holiday Season, takes place, in Ganges Village, tomorrow night. As usual, the Driftwood newspaper is sponsoring a contest, this year's theme being "A Salt Spring Christmas", and is awarding prizes for the best decorated windows. Check it out! Some very creative people are out there, giving us light and wonder, two great ingredients that make this season what it is, and some of the window displays are truly terrific. Wander the Village, enjoy the seasonal music from the Fire Hall loudspeakers, and drop into some of the restaurants, all offering seasonal menus, and enjoy. It's a heart-warming time of year, and the Village is ready to be a part of this. Say hi, if you see me!
November 29, 2006. "Why were the saints, saints? Because they were cheerful when it was difficult to be cheerful, patient when it was difficult to be patient, and because they pushed on when they wanted to stand still, and kept silent when they wanted to talk, and were agreeable when they wanted to be disagreeable. That was all. It was quite simple and always will be." (Anonymous)
November 28, 2006. "The world turns and the world changes, But one thing does not change. In all of my years, one thing does not change. However you disguise it, this thing does not change: The perpetual struggle of Good and Evil." (poet, T.S. Eliot: "Choruses from "The Rock")
November 27, 2006. Don't forget to add your favourite charities to your holiday shopping list! The Salvation Army offers special items at this festive time of year, and they always need your help. The Food Bank in your area also needs your continuing help. Gift trees, with requests to purchase a specific gift, for a girl age 11 or a boy age 7, for example, can be found in various banks and businesses around town. Pick one up and go shopping for someone who needs your help What about passing out clean blankets to those forced to live on the street, for whatever reason? Some restaurants and church groups offer holiday meals, and can use both money and your physical presence as "help" (see what's going on in your area). Volunteer, so that regular volunteers might get away, to see their families, at this time of year. Don't forget the animal helpers, such as the SPCA, at this time of year, either. Along with caring for our "own", which is a wonderful and a proper response, let's remember those less fortunate, and do a little "extra". It's in the spirit of the season! Anyone read the actual Dickens classic, A Christmas Carol, recently?
November 26, 2006. "Spiritual success is gained by daily cultivation. If you have practiced for the day, then you have won. If you were lazy for the day, then you have lost." (Deng Ming-Dao: "Tao...Daily Meditations")
November 25, 2006. "I've always been in the right place at the right time. Of course, I steered myself there." (comedian, Bob Hope)
November 24, 2006. Don't forget the annual Christmas Craft Fair, at the Beaver Point Hall. The 2006 event will be held on Friday, Dec. 1st, from 5 to 9, on Dec. 2nd, from 10 to 5, and on Sunday, Dec. 3rd, from 11 to 4. Expect the same high quality arts and crafts. Refreshments are available, too, surrounded by works from some of the Island's talented local artists. Mark your calendars! See you there! The 12th Annual SPCA auction seeks donations -- held tomorrow, the 25th of November, at Mahon Hall, with doors opening at 5 p.m., with a silent auction starting at that point, and a live auction beginning at 6 p.m. Over 100 local businesses and artists donated items for both the silent and the live auctions. See you there! Looking for the unusual for Holiday gifting? Drop into the beautifully decorated Stone Walrus Gallery, "the Islands most unique Christmas store". Their decorating will make your heart sing! Mark your calendars for December 2nd -- the Santa Fly-in takes place, with Santa arriving at the floatplane dock at 1 p.m. Free photos with Santa, at the Bank of Montreal, from 1: 15 to 3 p.m. Enjoy!
November 23, 2006. "Nothing, of course, begins at the time you think it did." (writer, Lillian Hellman)
November 22, 2006.
Terrific opportunity, on Salt Spring Island! Commercially zoned waterfront property, on the edge of Fulford Village. Totally renovated home (in 2004/05) offers open plan living, stone feature fireplaces, dining/solarium with serene marine views, master/study/ensuite, guest bed/bath, plus large office, and the plus of a separate guest/inlaw "suite". Lots of decking and patio space, and very sunny (s/sw/w exposures, here), with ocean vistas from all principal rooms. The plus? A marina, with the ability for marine gas sales, is also on the property. The commercial zoning allows for good development potential, here. See Li for the details! Motivated sellers will entertain offers.
November 21, 2006. If one practices the Christian faith, then the next few weeks are the preparation for Christmas itself. This time of introspection, and readying of oneself for the celebration of Christmas, is known as Advent in the Christian Church calendar. The four Sundays leading up to Christmas Day are celebrated as the Advent season, sometimes called the Season of Expectancy. A candle for each Sunday is lit, and all four are alight on Christmas Day. Regardless of one's faith, the concept expressed in the following poem can bring serenity to us all: "I will light candles this Christmas: Candles of joy despite all sadness, Candles of hope where despair keeps watch, Candles of courage for fears ever present, Candles of peace to ease heavy burdens, Candles of love to inspire all my living, Candles that will burn the whole year through." (Howard Thurman: "Meditations of the Heart").
November 20, 2006. "To be astonished is one of the surest ways of not growing old too quickly." (writer, Colette)
November 19, 2006. Today, at 1 p.m., in the Green Room at the Harbour House Hotel, the Honorable Flora MacDonald & Homayra Ludin Etemadi talk on Afghanistan: its achievements and a process to engage communities in peace. Don't miss this very special presentation (phone 537-4256 for further information). "They represent Future Generations Afghanistan, whose mission is to engage communities throughout the country in a process of self- reliant reconstruction that builds government partnerships, strengthens local capacity and maximizes locally available resources. The next step is to create a national network of learning centers. Three initial centers will teach practical skills and innovations to more communities, implementing partners, and government ministries." Homayra Ludin Etemadi and The Honorable Flora MacDonald are coming to Salt Spring as part of a Western Canada tour. This initiative on Salt Spring is being organized by local artist, Lynn Demers.
November 18, 2006. Looking for things to do "off island"?? It's a nice idea to tie a day trip to Vancouver Island with some of the festive things offered at this time of year. In the Saanich area, the Butchart Gardens have enticing and magical light displays, from end of November to Twelfth Night (January 6th). Check into this, as it's absolutely beautiful! Mattick's Farm is a shopping extravaganza at this time of year, too. Up island? Ladysmith, the home of Xmas light up, will chase away any "grinch-like" thoughts you might be harbouring -- your heart will soar, here, with the wonderful displays that take in the entire "Old Town" area. Check out the Welsh Christmas, at the Chemainus Theatre, too. Easy to commute to these fun events, and it adds a little novelty to our usual response to this holiday time of year. If you think you see me there, you probably do!
November 17, 2006. "While people keep waiting and waiting for something big to happen in life, the "now" is passing them by. Do you know how fast a "now" passes? At the rate of 186,000 miles per second, the speed of light. So no matter how much you love and enjoy a particular "now", that's how fast it becomes a "was". ...That's why I never use the word "if" anymore. An "if" is a "never was"." (comedian, Sid Caesar)
November 16, 2006.
Looking for a lovely lakefront lot, to enjoy as a "camping"/summer space for now, and a future building project for your dream retirement home? Something similar to this lovely photo? One has just come on the market, and no photo taken yet, but will be similar to this one. It's a private and sunny property, with expansive lake views from the lakeside area of the rural property. An appealing winding drive, through majestic fir and cedar groves, arrives at the building site, at lake's edge. Enjoy St. Mary Lake's peacefulness. The Lake is stocked with fish, and no power motors are allowed. Tranquility awaits! Enjoy! See Li for the details.
November 15, 2006. "If I break down the walls, I will be surrounded by the garden. If I break the levee, water will inundate me. Meditation is not to be separated from life." (Deng Ming-Dao: "Tao...Daily Meditations")
November 14, 2006. On November 19th, it's Stewart Katz, with a reprise of his "Confessions of a New Age Neurotic" -- he plays at Barb's, and dinner is served along with the entertainment. Call Barb's for reservations (537-4491). Photography is on display at Galleon's Lap, with a show by Russ Kwan & Wendy Kwan, called Chasing Light Stranger. The show runs from November 10 to 29. ArtSpring showcases the talents of Chris Frye and the Analog Ghosts on November 17th. The concert is a release party for Frye's new CD (Raised on Rhythm and Rhyme). Show starts at 8 p.m., and tickets are $20 in advance & $22 dollars at the door. See you there!
November 13, 2006. Tonight is the Irish evening at the Lion's Hall. Tickets are from Acoustic Planet, Stuff n' Nonsense, or at the door. Sean Tyrell and Jack Geary (the Galway guys, now playing as Freedom Folk), plus wonderful "locals": Black Velvet Band (Briony Penn, Sally John, Denise Bachman, Jo Lundstrom, Harry Warner), plus Derek Duffy will bring you pleasure! See you there!
November 12, 2006. "Drought burns basins to dust, Light rain is a dew of mockery. Receive without complaint, Work with fate." (Deng Ming-Dao: "Tao...Daily Meditations").
November 11, 2006. A very moving and inspirational Remembrance Day ceremony is held annually, on this day, at the cenotaph in Centennial Park, in Ganges Village. The parade to the cenotaph takes place around 10:40, and the two minute silence is observed at eleven a.m. If you have never attended this, and are on Island, don't forget to turn out, and take part in this remembering of those who fought for their country, in various wars, and who did their duty so that we can enjoy the freedoms and the choices available in our lives today. See you there.
November 10, 2006. Mark your calendars -- Salt Spring Woodworks, in conjunction with the Out of Hand Fair, is holding a special show of fine & studio furniture. Local talent, original design, & superlative craftsmanship are promised. Held at the Victoria Conference Centre (adjacent to the Empress Hotel), from Thursday, Nov. 23 to Sunday, Nov. 26th. Enjoy! See you there!
November 9, 2006. The various focus groups called for, by the Trust, have been formed, and between now and late March, they will be bringing forward their recommendations on many issues (affordable housing, aging population, Ganges Village and Ganges Harbour development, Fulford Village development, etc. etc.). Be informed! Go to the meetings, ask the Driftwood to follow the progress of these committees and to report the findings in a timely manner, in the Driftwood newspaper, don't assume that "someone else will do it". It's your Island! Be involved! See you there!
November 8, 2006. "Growing old is no more than a bad habit which a busy man has no time to form." (writer, Andre Maurois).
November 7, 2006. Other people fly away, mimicking the geese (a flotilla of grey, wings heading south, patterned above the golf course, a lonely player, head bent to ball, missing the display fanning across the sky). Other people pack (suitcases, bathing suits, golf clubs, beach sandals) & go south. Snowbirds, they call them. No snow here. Wind, rain, turmoil of grey clouds boiling the horizon to obscurity. Grey, layers of it. Pacific North Coast grey, a colour not easily captured in a painter's palette... a misty cauldron of pearlescent layers, blue-grey, green-grey, brown-grey, gold-grey, silver-grey, grey and grey and grey, bleeding the air & the mountain & the sea into an iridescent back-lit pearl of light. My kind of grey. Comfortable, fire lit, soup simmering, dog asleep, cat purring, darkness wrapping & enfolding, earlier every day. Harvest is in. Fallow is here. Let other people chase the eternal summer dream. Grey is my territory. Fall... into the pillow of grey. (L.R.)
November 6, 2006. "Do your devotions make you happy? Is your life a joyous song?" (Deng Ming-Dao: "Tao...Daily Meditations")
November 5, 2006.
Here's a special rural property, close to Ganges Village and all its amenities, and close to lake and ocean beach accesses, yet in its own serene pastoral world. Recently renovated, and furnished with appealing choices, this is a "turn key" offering. Main home plus separate guest cottage, and a mix of forest, with your owns private walking trails, and pasture -- keep sheep or a horse, here! See Li for details!
November 4, 2006. A free literary evening, which begins a 8 p.m., is co-sponsored by the Canada Council & Theatre Alive. Hear writers Brian Brett and Jan Zwicky tonight, at All Saints Anglican Church. Donations gladly accepted. On November 10 and 11, the Salt Spring Concert Band, under musical director Dawn Hage, presents Tunes of Glory, a Remembrance Day tribute. It begins at 8 p.m., at ArtSpring. Photographs by Russ & Wendy Kwan are showcased at Galleon's Lap, from Nov. 10th to 29th. The legendary Platters are appearing at ArtSpring, with The Ink Spots, on November 21st, at 7:30 p.m. From November 4 to 18th, there's an exhibition of Impressionist paintings by "Lady X", at Pegasus Gallery, with a reception tonight, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Did you know? The Driftwood newspaper will be publishing a free Friday edition, showcasing special events and interesting Islanders. Pick up your first edition copy, this Friday. It's called TGIF -- of course! Enjoy!
November 3, 2006. "Ask questions. Maybe it might lead to somethin'." (baseball great, Yogi Berra)
November 2, 2006. Have you made it over to Jill Louise Campbell's show at the Chemainus Theatre Gallery?? It closes on Nov. 5th, so don't delay! Originals of Jill's Tibetan paintings are on display, and the show will travel to other venues. Called "Tibet...a heart wisdom collection", more info. can be found at www.jlcgallery.com. See you there!
November 1, 2006.
Here's a beauty! Turn key, ready for occupancy, wonderful home (custom designed and built in 2004/2005), with terrific in-ground pool, and with panoramic views of ocean/islands/Mainland mountains -- truly lovely! The home offers three ensuite bedrooms, plus an exercise room, wine cellar, and the sound system is state of the art! Easy care and private property, close to all amenities, and to lake and to ocean beach accesses, and to park/hiking & walking trails, yet in its own private world. Just move into this gem, and enjoy the Salt Spring lifestyle! See Li for more details!