October Rainfall Stats

courtesy of Keith Rush

Fire Extinguisher Recall

Canadian recall of portable fire extinguishers manufactured by Kidde and Garrison between 2009 and 2015 for failing to operate.  See this link for applicable models:

http://healthycanadians.gc.ca/recall-alert-rappel-avis/hc-sc/2017/65014r-eng.php

TIVFD

Thetis Island Marina & Pub ~ Friday Night Dinner Special ~ Nov 3rd

Roast Pork Tenderloin with applesauce, potatoes and veggies

$16.95

Served from 5pm – 8pm

REGULAR MENU ITEMS ALSO AVAILABLE

Reservations are preferred

please and thanks.

250-246-3464 

Island's Trust ~ Thetis Island Housing Needs Assessment Meeting ~ Nov 24th

What are Thetis Island’s housing needs? Do you have insights to share? In September 2016, the Islands Trust Council gave direction to conduct housing needs assessments throughout the Islands Trust Area.  The housing needs assessment for the Northern Region has now commenced, and key stakeholders are being asked to provide input to help determine the unique housing needs for each of our Northern islands. Gabriola-based consultant Pat Maloney, with Dillon Consulting Limited, has been hired to conduct the Northern housing needs assessment over the coming months.  This will involve analysing housing, employment and other demographic data and engaging with community members about each island’s unique housing needs. Also, while this study will focus on assessing housing needs, the information gathered may assist in the development of future housing strategies.

In order to engage in discussion about your island’s housing needs, a community meeting will be held:

DATE:  Friday, November 24, 2017

TIME:   2:00pm – 4:00pm

LOCATION:  Thetis Island Community Centre (Forbes Hall) North Cove Rd, Thetis Island

This meeting will be hosted and facilitated by the Consultant. We hope that you will be able to attend. If you are unable to attend, please feel free to share your thoughts through the Housing Needs Survey (https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/islands-trust-housing-survey), and encourage everyone you know to complete the survey as well.  In addition, the link to the survey will be distributed through island community Facebook pages and other electronic communications.  The Consultant will also provide hard copies of the survey and would be happy to have follow-up telephone conversations regarding the housing needs on your island.  If you have questions or comments, you are welcome to send them to northinfo@islandstrust.bc.ca , and please visit: www.islandstrust.bc.ca/trust-council/projects/housing  for further information.

We need your input.  We want this to be a “made on Thetis solution”.

Thank you! 

Islands Trust Local Planning Services

Open Burning

It's now November and Thetis Island Fire Dept. Burn Permits are not required until April 1st of next year.  However, many people do not understand the Provincial requirements that are still in place, and that neighbours can contact the CVRD By-Laws Enforcement Officer if the open burning is not compliant.  Neighbours include Saltair, Penelakut, Chemainus, etc. who share our air as well as Thetis Islanders.

Anyone lighting a Category 2 fire (can be no higher than 2 metres nor wider than 3 metres) MUST look at the Venting Index (Google "venting index BC" and find southern Vancouver Island.)

The burning of woody debris outdoors is only permitted when the forecast Ventilation Index is sufficient to disperse smoke. Before debris can be ignited, the Ventilation Index must be predicted to be both GOOD (55-100) this afternoon as well as FAIR or GOOD (34-100) tomorrow afternoon.

If you cannot go on-line for the Index you can phone toll free 1-888-281-2992 for today’s and tomorrow's venting index forecast.

Other Regulations that must be followed are:

The open burning of debris must be carried out at least:

(a) 100 metres from neighbouring residences and businesses, and

(b) 500 metres from schools in session.

Open burning of debris must not be initiated if the local air flow will cause the smoke to have a negative impact on a nearby population or cause pollution

Unless otherwise exempted for smoke management purposes by a burning permit or in a burn plan approved by the Ministry of Forests, open burning of debris must not be initiated if atmospheric mixing at the site where the debris is to be burned is insufficient to provide rapid dispersion of the smoke.

Please don't burn leaves, especially wet leaves.  They are a valuable source for composting into soil on our island and put a lot of smoke up when they could easily be used in the garden. Garbage, tires, lumber from renovations, tarpaper, drywall, old oil, plastic etc. are all banned. 

All fire safety concerns or emergencies should be reported by calling 911 Emergency Services.

Knowing whom to call to report an illegal burn or smoke pollution can be tough, especially when there are so many different rules about burning. CVRD has tried to make the process easier by providing some useful phone numbers to report different types of burns.

To report illegal land-clearing burns:

Anytime – call the BC Conservation Officer Service Report All Poachers & Polluters (RAPP) Line at 1-877-952-7277

Monday to Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm – call CVRD Bylaw Enforcement at 250-746-2500 or afterhours Bylaw Enforcement Hotline at 250-746-2600

To report burning of construction debris, garbage or prohibited materials:

Anytime – call the BC Conservation Officer Service Report All Poachers & Polluters (RAPP) Line at 1-877-952-7277

To report illegal backyard burns:

For backyard burning in CVRD Electoral Areas, contact CVRD Bylaw Enforcement at 250-746-2500

If you are interested in the hourly air quality on Thetis Island you can Google purpleair.com and access the map of North American air quality test monitors and choose Thetis Island.  The monitor is mounted on the school.

With so much attention being paid to air shed air quality and the spectre of even more restrictive regulations on wood smoke, it will be important for Thetis Islanders to continue to minimize our smoke by following the existing regulations and not give our on and off-Island neighbours cause to report illegal burns or smoke pollution.  Depending on which regulation is contravened, fines to $200,000 to $1 million plus 6 months in jail can be levied under the Environmental Management Act.

Fire Chief J. Caldbeck

TIVFD

John Gogo Concert ~ November 18th

Western Canadian singer/songwriter John Gogo from Nanaimo will be playing on Thetis Island.
Saturday 18th November, 7:30 pm,
Thetis Island Community Centre 
Admission $15.00, kids under 16 free.
Refreshments during intermission by donation.

All are welcome, a Thetis island Arts council sponsored event.

Please check out these websites for more information and to have a listen to his tunes.
https://www.johngogo.com/about https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6w42WZOF5DA

Edible Landscapes by Travis

Fall is in full swing, winter is just around the corner; now is the time to tackle that outdoor project. 

New garden planning and installations, mushroom cultivation, fencing, orchard maintenance, blackberry control... Or maybe Thetis is your second home and you are looking for someone to lend a hand with general property maintenance. 

Equipped with permaculture training and a mobile workshop loaded with tools, I'm ready, willing and reliable. So give me a call with your ideas at 250 416 0674.

I look forward to hearing from you!

Travis

Soup's On ~ Wednesday, November 1st

Forbes Hall

11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Or until the soup runs out, whichever happens first!

Soup's On is still just $5.00

Being served this time: French Onion Soup with Herbed Buns,

Assorted Baked Goods, Pot of Gold Coffee and a variety of Teas

Plus enlightening conversation

(Take Out Soup and other items for sale if there is enough available)

The Bridge Group meets in the Library at 1:00 PM

Scottish Country Dancing starts at 4:00 PM in the Hall

Anglican Communion Service

Rev. Michael Wimmer, from St. Michael & All Angels Anglican Church in Chemainus will be coming to Thetis on Wednesday, November 1 to celebrate communion with us. 

We will gather at Lucy Hayward's place, 21 Bella Vista Road at 3 pm.       

ALL ARE WELCOME.

Duplicate Bridge

We are starting duplicate bridge on Thetis Island on Monday afternoons, every two weeks in the library at the community hall.  The first session is on Monday October 30th at 1:30. We are hoping to have two tables. 

If you would like to come and play or learn to play duplicate bridge, please email Genny at gkredman@gmail.com  or call 250-246-2465.

Running Club

Leanne Jeffrey and Ted Bieber will be leading a Running Club for students from Capernwray Harbour.  It will happen on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 6:00am.  Our first run will be Tuesday (Oct 31st).

North Cove Road will be our usual route. 

If anyone is interested in further details regarding our running programme, please contact Leanne at 250-533-9329 or ljeffrey@capernwray.ca .  Islanders are welcome to join.  We move gradually from walking to running - the Hatley Castle 8K run on February 18, 2018 is our goal.

Flu Shot Clinic ~ Thanks

The Flu Shot Clinic was again a success thanks to the organization by your TIVFD members and Merry Gooding with her TIVFD Auxiliary volunteers.  Over 78 residents attended and this interest will ensure another VIHA clinic next October.  Thanks also to the TI Community Fund for monetary support for the coffee service. 

TIVFD