Thetis Island Marina Resort

Starting Thursday 14th of May 

Thetis Island Marina Resort is now open for take out food only.

Hours this week are 11:30 til 7:00 pm Thursday ,Friday, Saturday and Sunday this week.

we will keep you up dated, Limited Menu.

Looking forward to seeing you.

Forbes Hall Project: Concrete Truck Friday

Departing Chemainus 6:55AM

Departing Thetis10:40AM

Apologies in advance if this creates an inconvenience.

Thank you,

Ann Dickie

Forbes Hall Project

BC Community Bat Program Press Release

BC bats not to blame for COVID-19; in fact, Bats need OUR help. 

BC Annual Bat Count contributes to surveillance for white-nose syndrome across the province 

For Immediate Release

May 11 2020

Thetis Island, BC

The COVID-19 pandemic has shone a negative spotlight on bats, due to concerns over BC bats carrying the virus. This association is a myth - bats in BC do not have or spread the SARS-CoV-2 virus responsible for COVID-19. Misinformation such as this can lead to unfounded fear and persecution of bats.  

In reality, bats are an essential part of our ecology, consuming many insect pests each night. Bats in BC suffer from many threats, and almost half of our 15 species are ‘at-risk’. One of the more familiar species, the Little Brown Myotis, is now listed as Endangered in Canada. 

A simple way to support bats including the Little Brown Myotis is to participate in the BC Annual Bat Count this June. The BC Community Bat Program is requesting colony reports and volunteer assistance for this citizen-science initiative that encourages residents to count bats at local roost sites.  

Bat counts are easy, fun, and safe, not to mention vital for monitoring bat populations. “The counts are a wonderful way for people to get outside, respect social distancing guidelines, and be involved in collecting important scientific information” says biologist Mandy Kellner, coordinator of the BC Community Bat Program. Volunteers wait outside a known roost site, such as a bat-box, barn, or attic, and count bats as they fly out at twilight. Ideally, 1 - 2 counts are done between June 1 and 21 before pups are born, and 1 - 2 more between July 11 and August 5 when pups are flying. 

In 2019, the Annual Bat Count collected baseline data on bat populations at 337 sites across the province, and hopes to monitor these sites and more for 2020. The count data helps bat biologists understand bat distribution and normal variation in colony sizes before our bats face impacts from a devastating bat disease called White-nose Syndrome.   

White-nose syndrome is an introduced fungal disease, fatal for bats but not for other animals or humans. Not yet identified in BC, the disease continues to spread in Washington State, less than 200 km from our border.  Results from the Bat Count may help prioritize areas in BC for research into treatment options and recovery actions.    

“We know relatively little about bats in BC, including basic information on population numbers” continues Kellner. “This information is more valuable than ever, particularly if it is collected annually. If people want to get involved but don’t have a roost site on their property, we will try to match them with a roost site nearby.” The Annual Bat Counts offer a safe way to learn about bats and share knowledge, while contributing to bat conservation efforts. 

Funded by the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation, the Forest Enhancement Society of BC, and the Habitat Stewardship Program and your local funders, and with support of the BC Conservation Foundation and the Province of BC, the BC Community Bat Program provides information for people dealing with bat issues on their property or who have questions about how to attract bats. To find out more about bat counts or white-nose syndrome, to report a dead bat, or to get assistance dealing with bat issues, visit www.bcbats.ca  and call your Thetis Island Community Bat Program Coordinator – Rob Welsh 250-246-1547 or rmwelsh@telus.net  

More factual information about bats, the SARS-CoV-2 virus, and COVID-19 is available at:

• BC Community Bat Program:https://bcbats.ca/index.php/get-involved/community-bat-program-news-updates/91-information-bulletin-on-bats-in-bc-covid-19-and-wns
• Bat Conservation International http://www.batcon.org/resources/media-education/news-room/gen-news/80-latest-news/1227-bci-s-faq-on-bats-and-covid-19    

Townsend’s Big-eared Bats live on Thetis and are one of the species counted during the BC Annual Bat Count. Photo: Aimee Mitchell

Bats emerge from a roost site at dusk. Photo: Sunshine Coast Wildlife Project.

Map of bat count sites across BC. BC Community Bat Program. 

WNSSpreadMap_8_30_2019: Current map of WNS in North America. www.whitenosesyndrome.org

For Sale:

Hair trimmer! Remington.

Complete with guides and guard, scissors and case.

Great for you or your pet depending on who needs a haircut more ;)

$35.00

U-built from Chevy S10 box
Heavy-duty tongue. Extra leaf springs. Good for yard of gravel (3000lb). 

Don't know year. Excellent tires. Spare tire and rim included.
$500.00 firm

Chrisn  Fordham
Text 2502520699

COVID-19 Survey

BC COVID-19 SPEAK: Your story, our future is a population health survey to elicit citizen experience, knowledge and actions during the COVID-19 pandemic. This survey is the first of several activities that will strengthen our pandemic response and our understanding of the impacts of COVID-19 to date (social, economic, mental wellness and community wellness). 

The survey will be open until May 31.

http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/covid-19-survey 

Provincial Health Services Authority

PHSA plans, coordinates and evaluates specialized health services with the BC health authorities to provide equitable and cost-effective health care for people throughout the province. 

Free Magazines

Is anyone interested in the back issues of the following magazines before I turf them:
    1.  Home Workshop.   (about 70 copies)
    2.  Canada's History, formerly called The Beaver   (about 100 copies)
    3.  Canadian Gardening   (about 70 copies)
    4.  Canadian Geographic  (about 25 copies)
    5.  Readers Digest   (last 4 years)

All are in excellent condition, (not smelly) and the white IKEA magazine boxes
are free with most of them, except Readers Digest.

Call or email Donna: 250-246-3141 donnastadt@gmail.com

Anyone Selling a Kid's Kayak or Wetsuit?

We're looking to buy a kid sized open kayak. 

We're also hoping to find a size 8 kid's wetsuit. 

If anyone has one they want to get rid of/sell, let us know. 

Thank you!

Janelle
403-613-7668

Howling Wolf Farm Opening

Marylyn, is happy to announce her opening Victoria Day Weekend, Saturday, May 16th from 10 to 4.

All Safety Guidelines will be followed.

Fresh pies, cinnamon buns, and other baked goods will be available.

If you would like to order ahead, please call MARYLYN 250-246-2650 or email mcpegg22@gmail.com

Thanks
Stay well!

Marylyn

Do Not Try to Sterilize Your Masks in the Microwave

Fire officials are reporting an uptick in serious home fires during the pandemic, many from unattended cooking. 

There is also a warning for people not to use a microwave to sterilize face masks or other personal protective equipment.

Microwave ovens are not designed to heat cloth or paper-like materials, so there is a risk of the mask overheating and catching fire.

TIVFD

Forbes Hall Expansion Update ~ May 12, 2020

Thetis Island Community Association

As one arrives on-site these past few days, it is so very clear that Forbes Hall is going to be a building that not only invites us all in, but encourages us to use the outdoor spaces as well.  Thetis Island is very much a living indoors & outdoors place as is reflected in the new hall.  The building is finally to a point that this can be so easily envisioned. 

The finishing touches to the concrete Entry Patio & Stairs are planned for pouring this Friday, weather permitting.  A notification will be sent out to confirm whether or not it will take place.  One can now walk up the ramp and in through the Entry.  It has been a very long time since this was possible. 

If you want to see what’s happening on-site just give any of the Project Management Team a call: Ron Bannister, Carolyn Askew, Doug Darling, or Ann Dickie.  They are willing to facilitate brief tours with up to 3 people at a time if requested. Please remember that no one is allowed on site without Michel Poirier (or his agent), or any of those named above, present.  And yes, this includes “just a quick look around”.  It is an active construction site, and there are dangers present.

Anyone wanting to add their name to the volunteer call-out list should contact Greg Gall directly at gnp.gall@gmail.com.  Even though requests for volunteers are posted, sometimes there is short-notice regarding the need for volunteers, so you might want him to know of your interest ahead of time.  Please note that no volunteer “Drop In’s” are allowed. 

Greg Gall has done a great job of getting people out to help with the project, and Michel is impressed!  To date 123 hours of volunteer work, by 8 volunteers, have contributed to the quick pace of the project.  We are looking for site cleaners to go in daily at the end of the workday, or after work and on weekends.  Please get in touch with Greg; he’ll fill you in on the details. 

The Assembly Hall roof design, as well as some design changes to the Existing Building, is well in the works.  Once we have drawings of the new look, they will be shared with you. All of the interior integrity of space has been maintained.  The changes occurred because of the time and cost savings they provide. 

Today, work started on the supports for the Assembly Room floor.  Walls should be up within the week, finally getting the Project above ground!  Timbers will follow, creating the post and beam entry. 

Behind the scenes?  Well, the team is getting pretty good at Zoom meetings, standing in the cold in physically distanced circles, or out of the weather in the pavilion.  As the weather improves, it is making that part of the jobs easier.  

Big thanks to Michel, Chad, Liam & Mike for being so committed to doing it right, and with such positive energy, your work is very appreciated!

It is exciting to see the Forbes Hall Expansion Project moving ahead, with such purpose, and very much as a community project.

Forbes Hall Project: Volunteer Call-Out

Join in to help rebuild Forbes Hall! 

Looking for more construction site clean up volunteers.  

We are looking for people to do some weekend and/or after hours work, doing sit clean up. 

As well, one more regular daily volunteer is needed for each of these three days: Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays.

Please contact our awesome volunteer co-ordinator, Greg Gall @ gnp.gall@gmail.com or at 1-780-505-1569

Organic Blueberries Order

Wow, thanks everyone for the great response on the blueberries! We have successfully submitted our community order form for over 600 lbs.

We'll all get to enjoy the most delicious, picked-fresh-for-us blueberries while supporting local agriculture.