Eleanor Culver's 95th Birthday

Hello all,

I am Noni Fidler, Eleanor Culver's oldest daughter, and I am making a memory album of greetings and remembrances for Mom's 95th Birthday.   Mom and Dad lived on Thetis for 18 years so I am sure many of you remember sharing a glass of wine or one of Mom's amazing meals or walking in her beautiful garden on Clam Bay.   If you have a photo to share or a story or a birthday card you can reach me

by e-mail at nkfidler@gmail.com or

by phone at 250-325-8533, or

by mail at 1440 Barrett Road, Gabriola Island V0R 1X5  

I need some time to mount your submissions so would appreciate it if you can get them to me by the last week in March at very latest.

Thank you

Noni Fidler

TIVFD looking for HO Scale Buildings ~

Your Fire Department is looking for HO Scale buildings (usually used with model train set-ups) to use as training aids at the fire hall.  Let us know if you have any you would like to donate.

Fire Chief J. Caldbeck

cell:  250-252-0544

BC Ferries April 1st Fare Increase

ANNUAL APRIL 1 COMMISSIONER-APPROVED TARIFF INCREASE

Click here for full information.

VICTORIA – BC Ferries is advising customers of increases in passenger and vehicle fares, reservations made less than seven days in advance, and Assured Loading Tickets (ALTs) on April 1, 2013.

In accordance with the BC Ferries Commissioner’s Order 12-02 issued on October 1, 2012, prices for vehicle and passenger fares will rise by 4.1 per cent on average on all routes across the fleet on April 1, 2013.

The fee for reservations made less than seven days in advance will increase from $17.50 to $18.50. Reservations made a week or more in advance will remain the same at $15.00. The reservation fees apply on the three major routes between the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island, the Horseshoe Bay – Langdale route, and the Comox - Powell River route.

The last increase in reservations made less than seven days in advance was in 2005. The $15.00 fee for reservations made more than seven days in advance has not changed since the reservation product was introduced on the three major routes connecting the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island over 15 years ago.

The cost of 10 ALTs will increase from $1250.00 to $1350.00. ALTs provide priority travel on the three major routes between the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island when presented to the ticket agent at least 20 minutes before the scheduled departure time, and are valid for a two-year period. The last increase in the cost of ALTs was in 2007.

Fare increases are required due to the rising cost of operating and capital expenditures.

FAC BC Ferries Consultation Summary

COASTAL FERRIES CONSULTATION AND ENGAGEMENT SUMMARY REPORT

The following news release was published yesterday by the BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure:

The Coastal Ferries Consultation and Engagement summary report was released today, summarizing the input received during an eight‐week public consultation process conducted in fall 2012.

The consultation and engagement provided information to British Columbians on the challenges facing the coastal ferry system. The process sought public input on the principles to guide service adjustment decisions and strategies to further the Province’s long‐term vision for the ferry system.

Over the eight weeks, senior ministry staff hosted 40 public consultation meetings in 30 communities, along with one webinar. More than 2,000 people attended the public meetings and almost 2,000 feedback forms and written submissions were received. The strong public response clearly reflects how much people value the coastal ferry service. Given the volume and detail of comments received during the consultation, government will take the time necessary to thoroughly review the feedback and develop a plan for service adjustments to achieve $26 million in savings to 2016.

The government initiated the consultation and engagement following the review of the Coastal Ferry Act by the independent BC ferry commissioner. The commissioner raised the need for a long‐term vision and indicated that all parties – BC Ferries, ferry users and the Province ‐ need to contribute to ensure the sustainability of the system.

In response to the commissioner’s review, the government committed an additional $79.5 million to 2016 to reduce pressure on fares, bringing B.C. taxpayer funding to more than $180 million this year.

There will be further consultations before any specific service reductions are implemented.

Click here to view the Summary PDF

Best Regards..

Keith W. Rush 

Welcome, Piper!

Piper Udonstar was born December 31st 2012. She is a black Labrador Retriever (dah). Dulcie has welcomed Piper to the family with the idea that she can be her playmate and the pictures reflect that. Our first night was uneventful with me only taking her outside twice. All are welcome to drop by and visit our new addition just give us a call.

Tom & Gloria

More pictures, click here.

Islands Trust Council on Thetis

The Islands Trust Council (26 trustees - 2 each from the 13 local trust areas) is holding its regular quarterly meeting on Thetis this week. Beginning at 1:45 on Tuesday, March 5, and running through 12:45 on Thursday, March 7, this public meeting will take place at Overbury Resort in their pavilion. Come see local government in action and perhaps participate in the town hall session on Wednesday, 2 - 3 pm. There is one "closed to the public" session on Wed., 8:30- 10:30 am, you are welcome to observe all the rest. The 2013/14 Budget will be debated and approved on Wed. afternoon. For a full schedule and budget information look under "Highlights" on www.islandstrust.bc.ca . The schedule is also  posted at the Community Centre.

It's been 25 years since TC came to Thetis... Hope to see you there! 

Peter Luckham and Sue French, your local trustees

Jamaica Donations

This year again Capernwray will send a group of students to Jamaica to do some building projects and visit orphanages.
Once again we are hoping to take humanitarian help with us and look for any clothing in good condition, board games, cloth grocery bags, Teddys/dolls.
If you have anything you would like to contribute please drop these items at the Kempe home (on Pilkey Point 68) by Sunday March 10th as we are leaving Wednesday the 13th.

Thank you kindly
Ralf Kempe

How do you like the new unloading procedures on the ferry?

It's temporary - if you don't like it - SPEAK UP ! 

I don't like it because:

- cars getting damaged by people with strollers,  large suitcases, backpacks (think summer camps) making their way to the front

- slow people on the ramp = delays = overtime = more $$

- people having to stand in the rain and car fumes while waiting to get off (covered area is not big enough)

- dangerous situation when cars are driving up behind foot passengers   (even worse when the people have to walk around a truck delivering to 49th in Chemainus)

WHY FIX IT IF IT AIN'T BROKE.  Our ferry and terminal are not set up for this system: most of all, the walk-on ramp is too narrow, so on a busy ferry the foot passengers have no choice but to walk up the car ramp. Enough said: if you agree,  TELL THEM YOU WANT THE OLD SYSTEM BACK.

Simone Luckham

Soup's On ~ Wednesday, March 6th

Special guests will be joining us this week.  The Islands Trustees will be taking part in the Soup’s On experience.  Because of this, the menu for this week is extended.  Looking forward to seeing you all!

Wednesday, March 6th

Forbes Hall 11:30AM ~ 1:00PM or 'til we run out!

Menu:

French Onion Soup

Beef Veggie Noodle Soup

Biscuits

Also we will have available, for an additional donation, your choice of sandwich: Ham & Cheese, Cheese & Tomato, Turkey or Veggie Wrap – all served with raw veggies & dip

Assorted Sweets

Tea & Pot of Gold Coffee

Regular Soup’s On menu is the usual $5

See you Wednesday.

For more information on Soup's On, go to http://thetisisland.squarespace.com/soups-on/

Friends of Furries searching for semi-feral grey cat

Friends of Furries has been trying to capture and relocate a semi feral fluffy grey cat in the Kenwood Rd/North Cove Road area.  We have located a foster home for her and would like your assistance in locating her.   If you see this cat please contact Rhonda Andrews immediately at 250 246 9743.  

Rhonda Andrews

Re: Recruitment of Officials

For all applicants we will not be reviewing applications until the beginning of April as we are busy with enumeration activities. Please help us to keep our voter registration accurate. Everyone should be receiving a Are You On the voters list? mail out. If you have not received one, then chances are you are not on the list then you should register.- on line www.elections.bc.ca

March 1, 2013  Lynda Poirier (lynda.patricia@yahoo.com)

Soup's On Says Good-Bye to the Penny

Soup's On will no longer be accepting pennies in the donation box.  

We appreciate your kindness, and hope that you will direct them to another charity.

Thanks so much,

Your Soup's On Team