Nature House Week 6: August 6-9

This week, Nature House steps out of its usual rhythm for something a little different. Wild Creatives makes way for Family Fun Day on Saturday, and in place of our regular S4 talk, we're closing the week with something truly magical - Music in the Forest on Sunday afternoon. In between, Dr. John Errington guides us through a hands-on apple grafting workshop - a couple of spots still available, so get in touch with Zoe at <zoe@thetisislandnatureconservancy.org> if you'd like to join! - while the SLC, PAG, and TIME Jr. keep the week grounded in the natural world we love.

Details about this week can be found on our blog:

https://www.thetisislandnatureconservancy.org/single-post/nature-house-week-6-august-6-9

Calling All Musicians: Music in the Forest

On Sunday, August 9th, ThINC is hosting Music in the Forest at the Fairyslipper Forest Nature Reserve - and we'd love a few more instruments in the trees!

We're looking for musicians of any kind to join us for an informal and immersive afternoon of music winding through the forest. If you play and would like to be part of this special event, please get in touch with Maya at <maya@thetisislandnatureconservancy.org>.

We hope to see you there!

ThINC

Nature House - Today's Events

Here's what's on today, Sunday, August 2!

9am-11am Harvest Hours (all ages)

Location: The People's Apothecary Garden, Lot 62

This week's harvest: The stars of the garden right now are Wild Bergamot (Bee Balm), Borage, and Blue Vervain - all at their peak and not to be missed. And a special treat this week - thanks to Aimee van Drimmelen, we'll have some fresh St. John's Wort on hand! A beloved medicinal herb, St. John's Wort is best known for its mood-lifting properties and its use in supporting the nervous system during times of stress and low mood. It is also a wonderful topical remedy for nerve pain and skin healing.

The PAG is open during daylight hours - site map and plant card decks organized by category are in the box on the back of the gate.

1pm-3pm SLC Drop-in: Extraordinary Eelgrass (all ages) 

Location: Sea Life Centre at Telegraph Harbour Marina

The SLC is open Friday--Sunday whenever the seastar flag is flying - drop in anytime!

2pm-4pm S4: Eelgrass Restoration with Nikki Wright

Location: Forbes Hall

Nikki Wright, Co-founder and Executive Director of SeaChange, will be joining us  to discuss the importance of eelgrass habitat and how much it contributes to the coastal ecosystems around the Salish Sea and Thetis Island. Come learn about how community engagement, advocacy and restoration efforts have led to the conservation and restoration of these magnificent underwater meadows!

Book & Bake Sale 10 - 1 TODAY!

Saturday, 1 August from 10 am – 1 pm

In addition to food for the tummy and food for the brain, Thetis Island Merch (shirts, caps, hoodies, blankets, and TI Maps) are also for sale.

There’s a large collection of war and aviation books. Some music cds and DVDs. Also, a valuable collection of Charles Dickens.

See you there.
Celine

July Rain

July 2026: 18.4 mm
July 2025: 0.9 mm
Average July (2009-2026): 12.6 mm

July 2026 YTD: 401.6 mm
July 2025 YTD: 436.8 mm
Average YTD (2009-2026): 503.5 mm 

Lowest July: '0' mm in 2013 and 2021
Highest July: 38.5 mm in 2022

Vancouver Airport: 33.6 mm in July; 435.6 mm YTD
Victoria Airport: 14.0 mm in July; 305.7 mm YTD

Keith Rush

Fire Weather

Warmer, drier conditions returned Thursday and are expected to reach a peak Friday ahead of a weekend cold front. 

Significant winds are expected by early Saturday afternoon along with a risk of thunderstorms along the strait.

Directional wind shift will occur Sunday, returning to an inflow pattern Monday. 

Thetis’s Island remains in HIGH Danger Class at this time.

Thetis Island Vol. Fire Dept

Nature House - Today's Events

1pm-3pm Wild Creatives: Soul of the Trees with Marcia Aftimus (all ages)

Location: Nature House at The Portal - park at Heneage House (the wine-coloured building) or the Fairyslipper parking area

An invitation to create with nature. In this outdoor workshop, each participant receives a section of deeply grained trunk from a standing dead tree, a unique gift from the forest, to print, paint, and explore. Through touch, observation, and intuition, we'll let the textures, shapes, and curves of the wood guide us, revealing the hidden soul within. 

About Marcia: Born in São Paulo and now based in Chemainus, Marcia's richly detailed, spiritually infused mixed-media paintings draw inspiration from her travels across Asia and Europe - each a meditative invitation to reconnect with our deeper selves.

1pm-3pm SLC Drop-in: Extraordinary Eelgrass (all ages)

Location: Sea Life Centre at Telegraph Harbour Marina

Missed Friday's session? Same great activity running again today - see Friday for details.

TICF Family Fun Day: Saturday Aug. 8th, 10AM to 2PM

Come one, come all!

Inviting amateur/professional clowns, magicians and unicyclists or stiltists to come and add to the festive atmosphere.

Attendees remember your sunscreen, a hat, your runners, maybe a bathing suit and towel, and your appetite...bring a friend or neighbour.

Face painters? 10AM to 1:30PM. We have the supplies! If you have some artistic talent and are willing share your skills while working with the little ones to create a safe, comforting and memorable experience...............come on by!

If you are a newcomer to Thetis, come and meet your community neighbours and their children, as we enjoy some time together having fun!

Volunteers for the main events (Field Games and Arcade Games in Tennis Court) are still required. We need enough people to ensure little ones play safely and enjoy their day to the fullest. If you even have an hour to spare, we would appreciate your support! 

Clean up starts at 2PM: if you have an hour to push a broom, take down event decor, load vehicles and return the hall to its pristine state.

See you there!

Thetis Island Community Fund Board

Thetis Island Community Parade (August 29)

Hello Community,

Here is your 29-day warning to plan for your entry into the THETIS ISLAND COMMUNITY PARADE on August 29th. We may not be big, but we can definitely be flashy. (All bicycle and motorized scooter entries must wear a helmet.)

The Fire Department will be holding a draw of artwork in early August for a Chief for a Day child to ride at the front of the parade in the brand-new Engine 1.

It’s the usual (short) parade route from Mission Road, down the big hill, around Marina Drive, back up the big hill and back to Mission Road. We will muster just after 10:30 and start at 11 a.m. If you have a car etc. please ensure you have enough fuel in it…don’t laugh, that’s happened before.

The COMMUNITY PARADE was started by Gwen Hunter and has carried on every few years in her memory, organized by the fire department. It’s also a lot of fun to watch, so get your deck chairs ready. 29 days left until AUGUST 29, SATURDAY. 

Jeannine
Thetis Island Vol. Fire Dept.

For Sale: Echo SRM-280T trimmer

-28.1cc high torque 2 stroke motor
-59" straight shaft+shoulder strap
-17" cutting width
-13.5lbs

-comes with standard nylon line head + 3blade Maxi-cut head
which uses replaceable nylon blades

-can also mount metal brush cutting blades
-reliable, easy start gas trimmer in great condition

-replacement unit+ accessory head now $600.00+taxes

-$275.00 (firm)

Contact H. Harvey Email: ve7ssr@gmail.com

Goosey Gander Shop Open Today and Tomorrow

Vendors brought in another great batch of interesting items this week. Stop by and have a look after the Book & Bake Sale. The Shop will be open until 4pm and remember it’s open on Sundays too. Here are just a few of the new items:

An old brass nautical mirror, motorcycle gear, binoculars, a selfie stick, a 12 1/2 foot telescoping ladder that shrinks down to 3 feet, a 40 foot led lighted cord for decks or patios, a fun assortment of owls and wooden giraffes, a sturdy gardener’s apron and matching bag, a Cabela’s archery bow, a mason jar fermentation kit, clothesline pulleys, and lots wooden hangers and lots of buttons!

Hope to see you at the Shop

Thank you,

Nan Beals

Telegraph Harbour Marina - Pierogi dinner

Today, Saturday, August 1st, we're putting supper on at the Café and the island is welcome. Cucumber dill salad, house-made pierogies with farmer sausage and sauerkraut, and local blackberry cake. 

Doors at 6:00pm, dinner at 6:30. Come early if you like — there's wine, there's the harbour, and there's usually somebody you haven't seen since spring.

$25 adults, $18 for seniors, $12 for kids. A call or a text ahead of time helps Claire know how much to make: (778) 744-7565 or cafe@telegraphharbour.ca. 

Come and sit as community and with neighbours.

Jaime White