Reminder for Those Needing to Access the Mobile TICA Poll for Saturday, March 28, 2020.

If you need to stay at home due to quarantine, sickness, being at higher risk, or have transportation issues (we do not want people at higher risk taking unnecessary chances), please remember to register with Michelle Black for the Mobile Poll at michelleblack@hotmail.com, or 250-715-8942 (to call or text) by tonight, Friday, the 27th. 

I will get back to you to confirm you are on the voting list and to give you basic details. I will need your lot number and a phone number. You will need to be able to receive a call and then come down your driveway to the ballot box. Without touching the box, please drop your prepared YES/ NO ballot and then back away so the box can be collected. 

Unfortunately, we are not permitted to accept votes online, by phone, or by proxy. You will need to vote in person for yourself. 

Thank you, 

Michelle Black

Good Things - Compiled by Tatiana Ishwari :: March 27, 2020

I am inspired to share some good things I have come across this week because we need to continue to laugh, to dance and listen to music, to tell stories, to learn and read, to create, play, grow to connect with each other, and take care of all aspects of our Be-ing. There are many kinds of medicine, and many tools available to us at this time. May there be one in here for you.

Peace and Love,

Tatiana Ishwari 

* If clicking on a link does not work then cut & paste the URL into your browser. *

Inspiration: Thinking Like An Island by Michael Ableman of Foxglove Farm, Salt Spring Island.

This was published on the Salt Spring Exchange on March 26, 2020. It is an honest, heart-warming and hopeful account from a farmer’s perspective. As Michael writes, “This is our time to come back home, to support all those who are re-imagining and replanting our island — one seed, one farm, one meal, one individual at a time.”

https://saltspringexchange.com/2020/03/25/thinking-like-an-island/

Music: Gentle World by Robert Wilson

My friend Rob just released this song. It is a gift to the world. I have it on repeat. It's a lullaby. It's a balm to apply liberally. May it bring you ease and comfort.

https://robertwilson.bandcamp.com/track/gentle-world-2020 

Musical Fun: Lovers in a Dangerous Time posted today by Barenaked Ladies

To help others – and themselves - get through this time they have created the SelfieCamJam, bringing the band together through video conferencing. Ed, Jim and Kevin play their usual instruments. Tyler plays the kitchen counter while two of his daughters treat us to a dance J

https://youtu.be/9DbChOUotfo

Fun fact: Tyler (drummer) has visited Thetis Island!

Humour: Update: Not all sports are cancelled

https://twitter.com/martoo14/status/1238859529393070081 

Meditation: Loving Kindness for Ourselves and the Earth

Earlier this week people around the world did this mediation. It is very calming and grounding and lovely. It is 18 minutes long. It is accessible for all faiths and belief systems.

https://soundcloud.com/user-976248814/sol-sync-a-meditation-for-new-earth 

Prose: In the Time of Pandemic by Kitty O’Meara

A beautiful hopeful piece, it begins with…”And the people stayed home. “

https://thedailyround.wordpress.com/2020/03/16/in-the-time-of-pandemic/

Yoga: Free online yoga & meditation classes

I recently returned from India where I spent three incredible months studying with my yoga teacher, Yogrishi Vishvketu. I look forward to my return to teaching as soon possible. I may offer some online classes at some point but for now, I invite you to take the opportunity to access 45 days of free yoga with my teacher. Please contact me for the promo code if you are interested.

Fun fact: Joel’s son Renaud is the videographer and editor of the videos.

https://akhandayogaonline.com

 (Sign up and promo code required)

https://www.youtube.com/user/akhandayoga

 (Free classes - no sign up or code required)

PDF for sharing...click here.

Thetis Island Resorts Hours

The Thetis Island Resort is open from 10-5 everyday.

Post Office 12:30-5 Mon.- Fri.

Hours of operation may change depending on circumstances. 

We will notify e-spokes if this occurs.

Next Veterinary Visit

The next veterinary visit will be on Wednesday, April 8th adhering to the coronavirus precautions.

For an appointment please contact Dr Martin Randle on 259 436 0045 or erskine284@outlook.com

No Burning

The Province has shut down all Open Burning in all High Smoke Sensitivity Zones due to the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Thetis Island lies within a High Smoke Sensitivity Zone.  Commencing immediately, all yard waste burning, industrial (Category 3) burning, and incinerator burning must cease.  

Here is a link to the Provincial order:  https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/environment/air-land-water/air/advisories/2020-03-26_hssz_open_burning_restrictions_issued.pdf

The TIVFD will not be issuing open burning fire permits in April.

If you require a campfire, please use your propane campfire appliance until further notice.  

Thank you for your cooperation.

TIVFD

Detailed Information about Saturday’s Upcoming TICA Membership Vote & Its Implications

The TICA Board wishes to address some misinformation being circulated about what will happen if the Motion voted on March 28 does not pass.  The Motion asks Members to give the Board permission to pick one construction company to continue construction of the Hall.  

Should the majority of Members vote "No", the Board will have Architect Angela Quek prepare the extensive documentation needed to send out a new invitation for Tender.  Ms. Quek guesstimated, in early March, that it would take 30 working days to prepare the invitation to bid, and that the construction companies would need at least 30 working days to respond. Site visits would be required.  Once the invitation closes, the Board would meet to select a new contractor. 

If the Members vote "Yes", a "Letter of Intent to Engage" will be given to Poirier Custom Homes. Michel Poirier would go to the site and make a detailed assessment of what has been done so far.  An agreement would be reached as to current status of the project. To be clear, the Motion members are voting on involves only the process for selecting a contractor.

Michel Poirier and TICA representatives would determine the priorities going forward.  There are several options.  All options would be based on the current balance of the Hall Expansion Fund. 

A contract would be negotiated with Poirier Custom Homes for a specified phase/staged scope of work.  The contract would likely be "Cost Plus 10%".  This would be the same as recent construction of the Fire Hall. 

Poirier Custom Homes would begin work mid-April 2020. (About one year from J. Lealand Contracting Ltd. start date.)

TICA Board

Brief Facts about Saturday’s TICA Membership Vote

By voting YES: It has been recognized that there will be significant advantages to negotiate a contract with Poirier Custom Homes, Thetis Island’s only General Contractor. By voting for a Sole Source (Single Source) process, the time & expense will be lessened getting to contract, and negotiations can begin with PCH.

Note: Steps will be taken to get the Forbes Hall Expansion project moving, with clear construction phases being determined based on the funds at hand.

The Motion is going ahead as written for Saturday’s vote, and cannot be amended, as 14 days notice of amendment is required. 

Forbes Hall Expansion Committee

Preparing for Your Home Delivery

Today is the first day of our home delivery service!

We expect to deliver your boxes between 4:45-6:45.

Please leave a tote or box at the end of your driveway, so it's easy for us to drop and go.

If you have any special instructions for delivery, please text Elisabeth at 250.415.0101

Wife and Daughter Have Arrived Back in Canada

Ellie and Becky arrived back in Canada this afternoon from Quito.

Thank you to all who signed the petition.

There are still hundreds of Canadians stranded there and elsewhere and according to the government some will not be rescued.

Bill Cobb 

How to Get Medical Help on Vancouver Island During the COVID-19 Crisis

This is an important piece of info for all Thetis island residents.

Gloria

https://www.cheknews.ca/how-to-get-medical-help-on-vancouver-island-during-the-covid-19-crisis-657672/?fbclid=IwAR3d-OtwHUQ5wG8Y4QbA0BTUUjK-tK3cuR6zc6XcD9mYtK_tzuob2pdUvEk

Correction regarding TIVFD/ Capernwray Staff

Capernwray Executive Director, Chris Fordham, had stated that “the Capernwray Harbor(sic) staff presently serving on the Thetis Island volunteer fire department will no longer be available for drills or medical callouts.”. They are not in self-quarantine on their campus as I erroneously reported earlier.  Chris assures me that they will be available for island-wide emergencies.  I apologize for any confusion this may have caused readers.

Fire Chief J. Caldbeck

Thetis Island Volunteer Fire Department

Keeping It Clean...Soap

As we hear every time we turn the tv on the best way to fight this disease is stay home and wash your hands, wash your hands, wash your hands.  Hand made soap are less drying than commercial soaps because they contain natural glycerins that are stripped out of commercial soaps.  

Dancing Dragonfly Soapworks offers a good selection of Island made handsoaps, salves and balms (calendula & dandelion, arnica, skin & body), thieves oil, and a selection of aromatherapy oil blends).

New items include thieves oil and a limited amount of liquid hand soap.

If there is enough interest I will offer additional liquid hand soap and  also hand lotion.  Please let me know asap if you are interested in either of these items so I can order supplies.

Contact Carol at 250-246-3699 or seaspray@telus.net to place an order.

Covid-19 safety: Orders are packed on a freshly disinfected counter using disposable gloves and placed in paper bag with your name on it.  No contact pickup in the box at the bottom of Lot 99.  If you are quarantined due to illness or return from travel, I will do no contact delivery.

If you need soap but cannot afford any or get to town, free Fugly soaps will continue to be available near the drop box on an irregular basis. 

Carol