New TIVFD Burn Permit Procedures

Telus is getting out of the Pager business as of March and that means we will no longer be using the Burn Permit Pager during Fire Season from April 1 to October 31. 

Instead, the TIVFD is moving to a NEW system. 

You will have a choice of how to apple for a Burn Permit after April 1st:

1. You may apply in person on Wednesday evenings from 6:45 to 7:30 pm at the Firehall on Mission Road and on Saturdays from 10 am to noon at the Garbage Dump, for a written permit from Andy Lamb or Travis Clayton;

or

2. You can apply on-line through the TIVFD website by clicking here.  Note: there's permanent link under the Fire Department Section ~ left hand side thetisblog's Front Page

When you apply in person on Wednesday evenings at the Firehall during the forty-five minute window or on Saturdays during the two hour window at Garbage (the Solid Waste Recycling Centre on Pilkey Point Road), you will receive your signed permit immediately.  It may take up to 24 hours to obtain a permit online...we do not have "operators standing by"...so you will have to plan ahead.  Please don't expect a same-day on-line permit.

They tell us that we have 29% of the normal snowpack in the mountains here, so we may be looking ahead to a very dry spring and summer.

Thank you in advance for complying with this new system.  We hope it will be efficient for everyone.  Please note, you do not need a Burn Permit for yard waste fires, burn barrels, or campfires until April 1st.

Thetis Island Volunteer Fire Department

St. Margaret's Cemetery Bank Restoration

St. Margarets Cemetery would like to let the community know that in order to prevent further erosion on the bank down at the cemetery we have CLOSED off a path near the Capernwray gate entrance which gave access to the beach. This action is being done upon the advisement of shore line restoration experts. We ask that you respect the signs. Do Not use the path and allow the natural vegetation to reestablish. This is all for the long term health and maintenance of the cemetery.

Thank you for putting the interests of the Island and the cemetery first.

St. Margarets Cemetery Board

Islands Trust News Release ~ Community Stewards

Islands Trust Seeks Help to Thank Island Community Stewards

Click here to view the news release re Islands Trust Seeks Help to Thank Island Community Stewards.

Thank you.

Pamela Hafey

Communications Specialist

Islands Trust

www.islandstrust.bc.ca

Increase your Mettle with Nettle!

Nutritious, fresh, local nettles for sale, lovingly picked with gratitude for our Earth.

$5 bag (large ziplock) 

Call or email 24 hrs ahead, pick up on Wednesdays or Saturdays at the recycling yard.

Stephanie 250-246-5269;  stephanie.cottell@gmail.com

Featured recipe link:

Thanks to Airi Star for this tasty idea!

http://www.northernwilds.co.uk/wild-food-recipes/thai-nettle-soup/

from the Library ~

New in the collection:

The Goldfinch - Donna Tartt

Sapiens- A brief history of humankind

Downton Abbey - season 5

The end of memory - Jay Ingram

Children's picture books

and many others.

Please note: The series The Wire was returned with dvd #2 from season 5 missing.

Unfortunately, the previous borrower did not sign the borrower's card.

Thank you for your donations to the upcoming Library Book Sale.

Please place the books under the table.  If you think I should consider the book or DVD for the collection please leave it on my desk.

If you are interested in helping with the set up, April 3, selling or reboxing April 4 please let me know.

Thanks for supporting your local library.

Celine

Do You Know the Thetis Island Quarterly Magazine?

The ever popular Quarterly Magazine will be distributed next week - the first issue of the year. If you are a member of TICA-Thetis Island Community Association and have paid your 2015 fees, all four 2015 issues will be sent to you at no extra cost. So if you have been putting off sending your membership form in, now is the time to do it!

Need a form? Access the pdf here, or pick one up in the Hunter Room at the Community Centre\Forbes Hall.

TICA

Islands Trust Fund News Release ~ Eel Grass Mapping

The Islands Trust Fund and partners recently completed the first-ever comprehensive mapping of eelgrass beds in the Salish Sea. 

Click here to view the news release.

200-1627 Fort Street, Victoria, BC  V8R 1H8

http://www.islandstrustfund.bc.ca

A conservancy for Canada’s islands in the Salish Sea

Mosquito ~ Control 2015 responses

Please click here to view two responses to Pat English's letter regarding Mosquito control for 2015.

Peter Barr ~ TIRRA involvement?

Steve Bird ~ help available

Thetis Island Marina ~ February 20th ~ Fish Friday

FISH N CHIPS: Beer battered cod served w/fries,coleslaw, tartar and lemon pc 8.95 /2pc 10.95

FISH TACOS: 2 flour tortillas w/ beer battered cod,cabbage, green onion and our zesty white sauce 9.95

A selection of appetizers & desserts also available.

Families and Groups Welcome

Reservations Recommended

Call us at 250-246-3464

Anglican Communion ~ Wednesday Feb. 18th

All are welcome to attend Anglican Communion

Wednesday, February 18 ~ 4:30PM (Ash Wednesday)

Where? Lucy Hayward's house

21 Bella Vista Road

Michael Wimmer from Chemainus will be officiating

A light supper will follow.  If you are able to bring a contribution to the meal, it would be warmly received. 

Call Lucy if you are able to come.  250-246-2059.

2015 Soiree ~ Request

Hello Thetis Islanders,

I am currently securing goods and services for the upcoming 2015 Art Soiree. Silent and live auction items requested. If you feel that this is something you would be interested in or know of someone who could contribute, please contact Gloria quackf@telus.net or 250-246-3091.

Thank you,

Gloria Taylor

Discussion ~ Mosquito Control 2015

Remember how bad the mosquitoes were last year?

It’s time to start thinking of ways to avoid a similar influx again this summer.  The main source of salt marsh mosquitoes - those big, dusty gray kamikaze insects - is the slough at the south end of the island.  They lay their eggs in the mud and when high tides flood the mud flats in spring and summer they hatch in their thousands.  The eggs are viable in the mud for many years and I’m sure last year’s mosquitoes added to the inventory. 

In the past there was a flapper valve on the culvert that runs under Pilkey Point Road.  3 or 4 years ago, that flapper rusted off the culvert and hasn’t been replaced.  We need someone with metal work experience to give us a new flapper valve. 

This is also a health issue as mosquitoes are vectors for West Nile Virus. And since the mosquito infestation affected the whole island last year, this is not something that one or two people should be responsible for.  The whole community needs to be behind this to achieve a community made solution.  Is this an issue for TIRRA to address?  

The purpose of this email is to get the discussion going and it will be in small gatherings. So start thinking and problem solving. 

Next summer’s happiness is in the balance!

Pat English, Secretary, Strata 589

Editor's note ~ this letter has been posted to the Island Discussions page.  Please send responses to editor@ thetisblog.net