Three of four candidates in the Saanich-Gulf Islands election race met with a full house at Fulford Community Hall on Salt Spring Island on Tuesday providing opening and closing statements and answering questions from audience members David Beckham of the Liberals and Colin Plant of the NDP attended Conservative candidate Cathie Ounsted sent notice to the Driftwood on Tuesday morning that she would not be attending “This choice comes after careful consideration some Conservative candidates who stepped forward to serve their communities experienced situations where smartphone debate footage was selectively edited and shared on social media creating impressions that didn’t accurately represent their positions or character.” The previous day at an all-candidates event at Berwick Royal Oak, May and Ounsted had an exchange that was reported by CHEK News yesterday The Salt Spring event was co-sponsored by the Salt Spring Forum and the Gulf Islands Driftwood newspaper and the video created by Living Water Media Services Your copy of Tidings will arrive in your inbox every Wednesday Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" Are you happy with the Saanich-Gulf Islands voters' choice of MP This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page Sign In Subscribe Now Police are investigating after two men and their dogs either suffered bite injuries or cut wounds during an altercation on Salt Spring Island on April 6 the Salt Spring Island RCMP received a report of a weapons complaint at Ruckle Park A 46-year-old Salt Spring man called to advise that he had allegedly cut another dog owner by accident after he and his own dog were allegedly attacked by another dog that had broken away from its leash he was bitten by the other dog which then latched onto his dog "He apparently drew a small knife to stop the attack," RCMP said in a press release when both dogs were separated it was discovered that he and his dog had both suffered cuts The off-leash dog was taken to a veterinarian by friends while the 51-year-old man went to hospital The 46-year-old man was arrested in relation to weapons offences and the knife was seized He was subsequently released for court at a later date “Both owners and their dogs suffered various but what appear to be non-life threatening physical injuries,” said Staff Sergeant Kris Clark of the BC RCMP Dialogue and debate are integral to a free society and we welcome and encourage you to share your views on the issues of the day. We ask that you be respectful of others and their points of view, refrain from personal attacks and stay on topic. To learn about our commenting policies and how our community-based moderation works, please read our Community Guidelines Sign In Register A seaplane airline connecting Metro Vancouver with Nanaimo on Vancouver Island has expanded its service to Salt Spring Island. Seair Seaplanes will now offer direct routes connecting downtown Vancouver and Vancouver International Airport (YVR) to Ganges Harbour Airport on Salt Spring Island. with flights from YVR starting at $77 and flights from downtown Vancouver at $85 for a limited time (see slides two and three). Flights are only about 15 minutes long and allow travellers to skip ferry lines and traffic providing ultimate convenience to the popular destination from the Lower Mainland. Travellers will fly on the Cessna Caravan Canada's fastest seaplane with room for nine passengers noted in a press release that the airline will also offer a "check-in facility for our guests to relax and enjoy a beverage or snack." Last Minute tickets don't allow changes and are nonrefundable Travellers are permitted bags up to 25 pounds and bags weighing more cost an extra $1.50 per pound (space permitting) Travellers with these tickets also get up to three days of free parking Super Saver tickets allow one change up to 12 hours before departure but are also nonrefundable The same baggage and parking rules from Last Minute tickets Standard tickets offer significantly more flexibility with one change permitted up to five hours before departure and cancellations for a full refund up to five hours before the flight Travellers may also bring an extra 10 pounds worth of baggage After this weight, bags weighing more cost an extra $1.50 per pound (space permitting) Travellers also have access to three days of free parking at YVR Premium tickets are the most expensive option but offer the most flexibility with full refunds or a flight change permitted up to one hour before the scheduled departure Bags weighing up to 50 pounds are included with additional weight costing $1.50 per pound These ticket-holders also get two additional days worth of free parking at YVR Find more information about exciting destinations in B.C. and across the globe, as well as travel deals and tips, by signing up for V.I.A.'s weekly travel newsletter The Wanderer. Since travel deals can sell out, find out the day they are posted by signing up for our daily Travel Deals newsletter. Want to learn more about a specific destination or have a travel concern or idea you would like V.I.A. to write about? Email us at [email protected] Send us stories about recent holidays that you've been on or if you have any tips you think our readers should know about. plans to replace culverts that convey Cusheon Creek beneath Fulford-Ganges Road (from Blackburn Lake to Cusheon Lake) with an open bottom crossing (bridge) Drivers are reminded to drive to conditions and observe traffic management personnel and signage in the area For the latest information on road conditions, please visit DriveBC In November 2021 an atmospheric river event resulted in the roadway flooding at this location fully closing the road for several days and washing out the road shoulder The existing culverts are undersized and fatigued Another significant weather event may result in a complete failure of the road Fulford-Ganges Road is a critical connection for residents emergency services and the transportation of goods on Salt Spring Island Qualified environmental professionals have been retained to conduct: weather and road conditions and plan your route Phone778-974-5339EmailMichael.Bateman@gov.bc.caDid you find what you were looking for?YesNoThe B.C Public Service acknowledges the territories of First Nations around B.C and is grateful to carry out our work on these lands and concerns of all Indigenous Peoples - First Nations and Inuit - respecting and acknowledging their distinct cultures We can help in over 220 languages and through other accessible options. , or Join the conversation You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience down from the initial $845,000 asking price from April 2024 “Clam Shell is an affordable and easily accessible private island,” the listing reads The island is about half a city block in area and is in Salt Spring Island’s Long Harbour about 300 metres from the Salt Spring Island ferry terminal and only 30 kilometres from Metro Vancouver as well as solar panels and other infrastructure for living off the grid Stay on top of the latest real estate news and home design trends By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc The next issue of Westcoast Homes will soon be in your inbox Interested in more newsletters? “A high level of on-site work has been completed providing the potential for a new owner to step in and complete the construction within a timely manner,” the listing says a Vancouver-based luxury home building company “Odds are if someone’s in the market for being able to buy a private island they’re gonna want their own design,” he said Killam built his own custom home on a lot on the remote Gambier Island that has been in his family for 80 years He is familiar with what he called the “endless challenges” of building on remote properties like getting labour and materials to a location with no dedicated service “That’s where the real headache is with these things and people just go broke,” he said “You’ve got materials over there by the Salt Spring ferry that doesn’t solve the equation of getting it now on to a barge and over to Clam Shell which is like a stone’s throw away,” he said “People totally underestimate that whole equation “There’s houses all over Gambier Island that people haven’t been able to finish — they just go broke,” he said “Think of a jerry can of gas,” Killam said drive over to our place an hour and 10 minutes from Milltown then carry the jerry can up the ramp onto my ATV And that’s for something as simple as a can of gas Killam said for his house on Gambier Island he mixed hundreds of bags of concrete by hand “because I couldn’t get concrete trucks on a barge with a long enough boom.” with trades charging as much as double to work remote locations “I’ve had guys charge me from leaving their house in Langley to Horseshoe Bay to coming over by water taxi to work all day and then charge me all the way until they get home at the end of the day,” Killam said “To get maybe six hours of work out of someone and they don’t like being away from their own home at night,” he said Killam thought the island would sell but said “it’ll be a slow process” given the costs they’re not gonna want someone else’s dream.” transmission or republication strictly prohibited This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy You can manage saved articles in your account which is led primarily by a board of primarily Quw’utsun (Cowichan) elders have acquired property on Salt Spring Island on the land of their ancestors in Xwaaqu'um (Burgoyne Bay Valley). Xwaaqw’um means female merganser duck place specifically the red-breasted merganser which congregate there year-round Located in the heart of Quw’utsun (Cowichan) territory Xwaaqw’um lies across from Hwtl’upnets (Maple Bay) in Sansum Narrows a stretch of ocean separating Vancouver Island’s eastern coast and Salt Spring Island. "We are thrilled to announce that the land has been secured and is now the home of Stqeeye'," said co-manager Sulsameethl (Deb) George. "This will be a base for growing our important land restoration projects and our Youth on the Land programs." The remainder of this community-based $2 million campaign is finding continued support in the region with a goal of bringing in $250,000 this winter to finalize the purchase. According to co-campaign manager John Cooksey the acquisition with a mortgage was finalized in December of 2023 Cooksey and his wife Pam Tarr were brought on to launch the campaign in April of 2023 and since they have been working to pay off the debt so Stqeeye’ holds the land free and clear — a task they hope to finish this winter "That’s an immediate goal of $250,000 out of the $1 million total we still need to raise We feel very fortunate to have matching funds that will double all donations in this winter campaign push," said Cooksey "Sulsameethl George is now living on the land of her ancestors close to her daughter and granddaughter and continues the traditions of 600 generations on that land has been by far our favourite part of working on the campaign." Elders and youth have had to take ferries back and forth to Salt Spring to participate in their programs and restore the land with no private space on BC Parks land for ceremony Stqeeye’ can build a campground specially for the Youth on the Land program which they can now expand to serve more youth and have already started a native plant nursery to help supply the 80,000 plants they’ll need every year for their restoration projects; but first Stqeeye’ needs to raise further funds to pay off the debt on the land so all of their resources can go to expanding their programs." Two venerable Metro Vancouver-based coffee chains are combining into a coffee roasting and coffee shop giant has bought the 29-year-old Richmond-based Salt Spring Coffee for an undisclosed amount "It's not confidential that Salt Spring had run into some financial challenges with the coffee market and the coffee industry," said Shillington whose Artigiano operates 25 cafés He said he plans to open Artigiano's 30th café by the end of June but those are the ones that we've announced," he said. "We're looking at locations in Kelowna right now." All of the cafés are in Metro Vancouver The Artigiano website only lists 18 locations but Shillington said some such as ones in Stong's Market locations Data on the Trading Economics website illustrates what caused some of the financial problems that Shillington said were afoot at Salt Spring Coffee. At the start of February last year, the coffee bean futures market pegged the coffee price at US$1.88 per pound The price for those futures contracts has since soared to US$3.76 per pound Fears swirl that coffee prices will soar higher There could be tighter global supplies thanks in part to the world's top coffee producing country having a smaller crop than in past years. Both Salt Spring Coffee and Artigiano feel the sting of higher coffee prices and the challenge of raising prices for customers impacts roasters such as Salt Spring Coffee more than it does Artigiano which roasts coffee but mostly gets revenue from its coffee shops The acquisition makes Artigiano the second-largest roaster of organic coffee in Canada Artigiano established a loyal clientele in the early 2000s after its founding entrepreneurial brothers Sam and Vince Piccolo opened the first three Caffè Artigiano locations They then sold the business to former Earls executive Willie Mounzer who rapidly expanded Caffè Artigiano tripling its number of locations to 15 and moving into Alberta Various other ownership combinations ensued until Shillington bought out partners in 2019 to fully own the brand. Expansion continued through the pandemic era, as the chain opened its 17th location in 2022 following a strategy of opening in former Starbucks locations. Shillington called it a "milestone" to integrate Salt Spring Coffee into Artigiano “Salt Spring Coffee’s unwavering dedication to sustainability and exceptional coffee quality aligns seamlessly with our values," he said "This partnership broadens our product offerings while strengthening our commitment to environmental stewardship including a continued focus on organic and non-GMO ingredients in everything we serve.” Mickey McLeod and Robbyn Scott founded Salt Spring Coffee will stay with the company and run it within Artigiano "Joining forces with Artigiano is a natural progression," McLeod said "Artigiano’s commitment to premium quality thoughtful sourcing and deep community connections aligns perfectly with the values that have guided Salt Spring Coffee since Day 1." Salt Spring Coffee notes on its website that it operates a café and kitchen on Salt Spring Island Its main business is selling beans wholesale to cafés foodservice ventures and retailers, such as London Drugs A large roasting facility in Richmond operates and will continue to run "This partnership will expand our collective reach through café experiences and grocery retail while staying true to the shared values that define both of our brands," he added. He called running Artigiano a "hobby business," given that his bread and butter is restructuring businesses and keeping them out of bankruptcy. He also owns the Canadian Premier League team Pacific FC [email protected] twitter.com/GlenKorstrom Bluesky.com/glenkorstrom.bsky.social Property badge Listed Country Properties British Columbia / Alberta Featured Sponsored ContentTrueThe Wetherly Estate at 169 Armand Way on Salt Spring Island in British Columbia The home also includes a unique clinic-like space, complete with its own reception room, as the property is currently home to the Wetherly Inn Spa Yes — this means the property owner has a literal in-house spa This article was produced in partnership with STOREYS Custom Studio. Honourable Mike Farnworth and House Leader Email: TT.Minister@gov.bc.ca People who live on and visit Salt Spring Island can expect smoother safer travel as significant improvements are coming to a major segment of the island’s highway system Improvements to Fulford-Ganges Road starting this summer will improve sight lines and access for drivers New paving infrastructure will extend the life of the roadway speed-reader boards and refuge areas will enhance safety The work includes pulverizing and rebuilding the road base entirely paved shoulders on both sides of Fulford-Ganges Road and adding additional enhancements for safety and active transportation The project will also include a new underground storm-sewer drainage system for the length of the project to support long-term environmental viability as well as a staging area to install a large culvert at Cranberry Road to reduce the risk of flood and road damage The $22.9-million project is being funded through the Province’s Climate Adaptation and Preservation program and has been awarded to Victoria-based Northridge Excavating Ltd Construction is anticipated to start after the Labour Day weekend in September 2024 and complete in summer 2025 including the Salt Spring Island Local Trust Committee on project planning and environmental considerations single-lane-alternating traffic will be in effect while the contractor is working People travelling along the Fulford-Ganges Road should anticipate delays up to 20 minutes through the project site and are encouraged to plan ahead and avoid peak travel times to minimize delays The posted speed will be reduced from 50 km/h to 30 km/h throughout the construction period Any necessary road closures will include temporary detours and no road closures will take place within 20 minutes of a ferry arrival at Fulford Harbour Transport trucks and wide loads will be required to stay on route The ministry’s contractor will avoid work during peak travel times to minimize traffic disruption where possible Drivers are always encouraged to check DriveBC for the latest up-to-date traffic information at: https://www.drivebc.ca/ To learn more about the project, visit: https://gov.bc.ca/fulfordganges View the Ministry's latest photos on Flickr Watch the Ministry's latest videos on YouTube Salt Spring Arts is once again turning heads with the return of Art on the Hall the south-facing side of historic Mahon Hall becomes an open-air gallery featuring three striking mini-murals with this year each one offering a unique reflection on our connection to the natural world. This year’s featured local artists — Lori Waters Corvi Zeman and Tina Dots — bring distinct perspectives rooted in the Salt Spring Island community Their works delve into themes of environmental stewardship interconnection and the quiet power of collaboration. Waters explores the relationship between native plant species and their pollinators in Resilient Blooms Draw Wild Wings Using a blend of botanical watercolour and linocut printmaking Waters creates a textured dialogue between scientific illustration and artistic interpretation Her piece celebrates the intricacy of ecological relationships while nodding to the timeless beauty of traditional craft. shifts the focus beneath the surface of the water imagining life from the viewpoint of a salmon The mural draws attention to the mysterious sensory-driven journey of a fish navigating magnetic fields It’s a poetic meditation on return and belonging inviting viewers to consider life through a new lens. a mural rooted in her personal reflections on nature and community The work represents humanity as tiny vessels drifting through vast natural systems — fragile yet full of strength when united Inspired by Indigenous teachings and her studies at the Ontario College of Art and Design University Dots’ mural highlights the importance of sustainability and collective care for the planet. reinforcing Salt Spring Arts’ commitment to public accessibility and creative engagement offering the opportunity for collectors and supporters to take a piece of the island’s artistic spirit home with them. To learn more about Art on the Hall, upcoming exhibitions and open artist calls — including the 2026 Showcase Exhibitions and Artist in the Class program — visit saltspringarts.com. Your copy of Tidings will arrive in your inbox every Wednesday. Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Are you happy with the Saanich-Gulf Islands voters' choice of MP? This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. this one might be “If You’re Happy And You Know It” and not just because the song was made famous by Canada’s children’s troubadour the owner of the home that is listed for sale We apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Play VideoArticle contentIt might be because the home is on Salt Spring Island on three hectares of land — half of which is pristine woodland It might be because the expansive floor-to-ceiling windows overlook the Salish Sea where orcas frolic — not baby belugas unfortunately — and where bedrooms and kitchen tiles are a shade of sky blue that It might also be because the place has been Cavoukian’s home for the last 16 years Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox He spent the first 10 years of his life in Cairo and the Mediterranean Sea where that blue desert sky might have first captured his soul where his parents frequently took him and his two siblings up north to view the stunning colours of fall foliage he became an early and outspoken advocate for nature and beauty who wanted others to remember how children see the world a beluga whale in captivity at the Vancouver Aquarium his love song to Kavna (“Baby beluga in the deep blue sea / Swim so wild and you swim so free”) or his commitment to the environment and its stewards — children — when clicking through the photos of the $1,995,000 Salt Spring property he has listed The property offers sweeping panoramic views of Ganges Harbour and features four bedrooms as well as a “treezeebo” and an arbutus grove We don’t know exactly where Raffi is going but he said in the tweet that he hadn’t moved far dryan@postmedia.com approximately 120 m west of the Tripp Road intersection has experienced a slope failure that requires remediation works to stabilize and construct more resilient infrastructure as a result of the atmospheric river flood event on November 15 Drivers are reminded to drive for the conditions observe construction-zone speed limits and follow the direction of traffic-control signs and personnel. Plan for delays along this route throughout the project: For the latest information on road conditions, please visit DriveBC. Project has retained appropriately qualified professionals including Qualified Environmental Professionals to satisfy environmental regulatory requirements. Environmental protections and best management practices will be implemented throughout the duration of construction. Get construction updates, traffic, weather and road conditions and plan your route. Contact informationFor information about this project Transition Salt Spring is gearing up for another year of community empowerment and environmental stewardship with the return of the Repair Cafe in 2025 The first event will take place on Saturday This event promises to be a fantastic experience for Salt Spring Islanders eager to mend their beloved but broken belongings The Repair Cafe offers a unique opportunity for residents to bring in malfunctioning small appliances and pretty well anything else you can carry in Spearheaded by Transition Salt Spring’s Climate Coach Program the heart of this initiative is the dedicated team of 30 or so skilled committed volunteers who generously donate their time and expertise these “fixers” strive to breathe new life into items that might otherwise be discarded Without our volunteers there would be no Repair Cafe Transition Salt Spring’s Climate Action coach and Lighter Living program lead underscores the significance of this event in fostering a culture of sustainability and community resilience “We have been indoctrinated that once something doesn’t work anymore We discard so many things because some portion is broken and we lack the means to repair them,” Scanlan stated passionately There was a time when new items came with service manuals you could take them apart and fix them yourself Big business and capitalism continue to build in obsolescence and tell us to buy new now When we all make small changes — which we must — the cumulative impact can be monumental.” Scanlan also proudly highlights the skill of Salt Spring’s Repair Cafe volunteers: “Our fixers have an incredible 90 per cent success rate on the well over 300 items brought in last year which exceeds the global average of 80 per cent.” with each participant allowed to bring two items for repair (one textile/clothing item and one household item) donations are welcomed to support ongoing sustainability efforts Tools and materials are provided onsite to ensure a seamless repair process while also giving attendees an educational glimpse into the art of fixing the Repair Cafe seeks to forge connections across generations and backgrounds celebrating the wealth of knowledge within the community “Repairing things together strengthens our neighbourhood bonds and island resiliency,” Scanlan added This ethos of collaboration reflects the origins of the Repair Cafe movement which began in Amsterdam in 2009 and has since spread globally the initiative has been supported by a Capital Regional District waste reduction program grant and by the 100 Men Who Care Salt Spring chapter In addition to reducing waste and minimizing carbon footprints the Repair Cafe helps participants save money and conserve resources By demonstrating the joy and simplicity of repairing items the event champions a sustainable lifestyle accessible to all As Salt Spring Islanders prepare to gather at Meaden Hall they are invited to participate not only in fixing their possessions but also in contributing to a brighter Whether it’s learning a new skill or finding renewed value in cherished belongings the Repair Cafe offers a pathway to sustainable living and collective empowerment For more information and updates on the Repair Cafe, visit Transition Salt Spring’s website or join the conversation on social media reuse and reimagine a future where every item gets a second chance Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker A crisp fall day with the sun shining overhead on Saturday gave Salt Spring Apple Festival goers the chance to crunch on their apples and enjoy local farm scenery in bliss Apart from the Fulford Hall display of tables lined with hundreds of different apple varieties grown on Salt Spring there was the opportunity to visit 15 farms giving access to parts of Salt Spring one otherwise might not see It's the only time in the year when the Beddis Castle with its orchard planted in 1884 by the Beddis family There's also Ruckle Heritage Farm in Ruckle Park. Full of Highland cows and fields of turkeys and goats The oldest operating family farm in the Gulf Islands it was established in 1872 by Henry Ruckle one of Salt Spring Island's earliest settlers. The Province purchased the land from the family in 1973 creating the park and a life tenancy agreement that granted six family members the right to continue to occupy and farm the land Since the expiry of this agreement in 2019 BC Parks has been responsible for managing the 82 hectares but has secured a contract with Mike and Marjorie Lane to operate the farm By visiting farms such as Ruckle Heritage Farm people glean the broader story of Salt Spring through the apples and their farmers There's a reason why Salt Spring is historically an apple hot spot a volunteer answering questions in Fulford Hall "The planting conditions here are so friendly for apples more planted. And it's British people showing up and wanting to replicate what they left." This year around 375 types of apples were displayed on the table – there would have been more but one farmer wasn't able to get them in on time "We've had around 460 or 470 in a good year," Taylor said "Lots of people here are interested in red-fleshed apples While there is still a great variety of apples there is always the risk of the number of apples on Salt Spring declining Changing climate was cited by many farmers as a concern and Taylor also mentioned that things change with each generation apple culture is thriving. The annual event attracts about 1,500 apple lovers including Derwyn Owen who said it's the busiest festival he's seen in recent years "My wife's putting on a pie party," Owen said "So she sent me out to get 120 apples." Of course the difficulty was in the choosing. "That's the difficulty," he said But some people are exposed only to the apples they get in the grocery store so they don't know what species there are." "Why do I appreciate the festival? Because the Apple Festival ties back to the history of what this island was in the late 1800s Sign up for our daily Newsletter and stay up to date with all the latest news You are receiving this pop-up because this is the first time you are visiting our site You are using software which is blocking our advertisements (adblocker) we are relying on revenues from our banners So please disable your adblocker and reload the page to continue using this site.Thanks a greenhouse hosts an unexpected crop: a citrus grove the project emerged from concerns over pesticide use and industry challenges and passionfruit on British Columbia's west coast Squier's goal was to maintain a minimal energy and nutrient footprint She now cultivates 35 citrus varieties within a 6,000-square-foot greenhouse Despite temperatures often reaching 1°C and soil temperatures dropping to 6°C "I'm blown away they are productive under these conditions." Her energy-efficient heating system utilizes a wood-fueled furnace to heat water circulated through insulated pools "My power bill for the whole farm is just about as much as a single-family home." "There is biology in the soil that is actually functioning and actually is creating a bit of heat in there." Workshops are conducted by Squier to share her methods with others employs a different strategy for growing tree fruits like oranges and lemons Using basic incandescent Christmas lights for heating "The heating cost for the entire winter is two to three dollars." He uses a special cloth to retain heat advocating for home growers to leverage mild West Coast winters Duncan believes Canadians should explore self-sufficiency in fruit production He argues for governmental incentives to support home growers asserting that his methods are low-cost and low-tech "It's virtually unheated production of citrus," he explains highlighting minimal energy use and no carbon footprint Duncan envisions a future where subtropical and Mediterranean crops could be scaled up in British Columbia maybe British Columbia will be the California of Canada." Source: CTV News Frontpage photo: © Igor Dutina | Dreamstime FreshPublishers © 2005-2025 FreshPlaza.com VancouverNewsHalf-finished off-grid home on private B.C. island for sale for less than a Vancouver condoBy Lisa SteacyPublished: March 02, 2025 at 5:45PM EST Twitter feed ©2025 BellMedia All Rights Reserved there is one on the real estate market right now asking about the same price as a West End condo in Vancouver Clamshell Islet is listed on Colliers for just $695,000 Its price has been reduced from $845,000; it was originally listed in the summer of 2024 The current price is actually under its assessed value of $725,000 The little island is located in Salt Spring Island's Long Harbour anyone who has taken the ferry to Salt Spring Island that stops at Long Harbour has sailed past the property There may be a reason for the reduced price While there has been development on the island A partial structure was built but never finished There is a smaller structure that was finished along with a large patio and some infrastructure built for the off-the-grid getaway "Building permits for the single-family home and other improvements are currently active and effective until August 12 2025," reads the listing for the property Haan Palcu-Chang’s jump to the small screen has Salt Spring Island’s food lovers cheering at their televisions, as the local chef is appearing on the now-airing latest season of Food Network’s Top Chef Canada Palcu-Chang was appropriately coy about the remaining episodes and he said –– without giving anything away –– he was confident he “did the island proud.” The Toronto-born Taiwanese-Romanian chef said he brought his best effort to the program which again this year gathered 10 of Canada’s top culinary talents from Tofino to Halifax under bright television lights and the pressure pot of competition. The Michelin-star trained Palcu-Chang came to the show –– as he did to Salt Spring –– from a background cooking in some of the most celebrated kitchens around the globe where he mostly consults and caters –– and holds one of the most in-demand culinary workshops to ever fold dumplings at the SIMS kitchen –– the call of the Top Chef challenge was impossible to ignore. “I’d never done TV before,” said Palcu-Chang “and I thought the worst that could happen is I get to see the ‘TV cooking’ side of the industry.” Palcu-Chang said he felt prepared for the professional side of the show Leveraging his skills to showcase a repertoire of flavours from Romania and Taiwan he said he was comfortable around his competitors the production team told them they were probably the friendliest season of the show since its inception and Palcu-Chang agreed it felt like everyone was competing against themselves more than each other. “It’s a serious production,” said Palcu-Chang “And then you’re seeing all these people that you see on TV in person Palcu-Chang said there were easily more than 100 crew members making things happen on-set; he quickly adapted to the routine thinking on the fly and developing a plan in the moment for each challenge. “You figure out what you’re going to do about five minutes before,” he said “And you have no team to back you up like you would in a professional kitchen it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity –– you’ve got to just roll with the punches and figure stuff out.” was that the drama he’d seen on the show before arriving was “real” –– that is not manufactured for its own sake or from behind-the-scenes personality conflicts. it’s just legitimately hard,” laughed Palcu-Chang “The drama really is in the cooking; it’s so intense that you didn’t really need anything extra.” Despite a slight concern he might regret saying “yes” to the show –– or “make a complete ass of myself on national television” –– Palcu-Chang said the experience was a good one and he enjoyed making new connections with professionals from across Canada. “Everybody there was highly competitive in their own ways but I don’t feel like it came out in a way that was super combative with the other contestants,” said Palcu-Chang And I decided I would just be myself and not try to be anything else Top Chef Canada’s remaining episodes air Mondays on Food Network Canada. To keep up with Palcu-Chang’s culinary journey and find upcoming workshops on Salt Spring, visit him on Instagram (@haanpc) and at haanpc.com UPDATED from original posting on July 12: The kindness and adventurous spirit of a Salt Spring Island couple are being remembered this week as details of the likely deaths of sailors Brett Clibbery and Sarah Packwood at sea begin to reach friends and neighbours here July 12 that two bodies were discovered in what they believed was the lifeboat for the sailing vessel Theros which had been reported missing since June 18. RCMP Halifax Regional Detachment responded to Sable Island National Park Reserve after a boat containing human remains was discovered Wednesday afternoon in what officials said was a 10-foot inflatable The 42-foot Gib’sea sailing vessel Theros had been reported missing one week after leaving Halifax Harbour June 11 en route to the Azores Cause of death has not yet been released. Island business owners Tim O’Connor and John Dolman became good friends with Packwood and Clibbery as customers of their TJ Beans Cafe; O’Connor said they were the nicest and most selfless couple anyone could ever meet recalling Clibbery’s efforts to help them out one snowy winter. “Brett put his car in the ditch trying to get to our place to help thaw our pipes,” said O’Connor O’Connor and Dolman’s last vacation — four days in Vancouver he said — was spent with the couple. O’Connor said a memorial will be held at some point sailing instructor and marine diesel mechanic with more than five decades’ experience on the water –– including work with BC Ferries on Salt Spring and after earning an advanced degree in rural resource management and overseas development pursued a career in humanitarian aid work around the world notably crewing aboard the STS Lord Nelson during the 2004 European Tall Ships races. Clibbery and Packwood met at a bus stop in England and were married aboard their sailboat in 2016 They re-committed to one another at a hand fasting ceremony on Earth Day 2017 at Stonehenge They moved ashore part-time the following year first to a tiny home they built on their Isabella Point Road property and eventually into a larger house they built together in 2021. The pair posted nearly 200 videos to their YouTube channel chronicling their adventures together building their homes hiking and road-tripping in their electric vehicle VancouverNewsMetro Vancouver to Gulf Islands ferries cancelled due to mechanical issue By Kaija JussinojaPublished: March 20, 2025 at 11:52AM EDT A little-known pastime has captured the hearts of Salt Spring residents and its biggest advocate hopes its popularity will spread worldwide. depending on who you ask – is played using a small ball woven out of dry grasses which players keep airborne as long as possible by batting it back and forth with their hands. The bare-bones game originated over 45 years ago – thousands of kilometres away. “The origins of chi ball began in the late seventies on the island of Maui with an amazing wizard and Tai Chi master named Phil,” said Bradley Morris the co-founder of Play Chi Ball – a Salt Spring-based company that sells the balls, first purchased from manufacturers in Thailand “Phil originally used a tennis ball and he called the game 'frapping' in the early days." where Morris learned about the pastime from two “hippies” while on a yoga retreat in Arizona 13 years ago “You just rallied and that was it,” he said emphasizing how chi ball pulled him into an “instant flow state” – the feeling an individual gets when so engrossed in a task that they forget about everything else. Morris said the pastime is named after a hard-to-define “energy” called chi "Chi refers to the fundamental life force or energy that is believed to flow through all things in traditional Chinese culture," he said. “We've heard from a bunch of chi ballers that playing 30 minutes of chi ball is equivalent to doing an aerobics class – except way more fun it gets your energy moving and makes you feel alive." After his yoga retreat had drawn to a close where he forgot about the game until five or six years later when he found a wicker ball – similar to the ones Play Chi Ball sells – beneath his house. “It brought back all of the joy I remember.” The discovery reignited Morris’ love of the game and he immediately began carrying the ball – attached to his belt or backpack with a carabiner – everywhere he went playing with strangers interested in the mysterious orb he dubbed a "friend maker." Morris recalled playing with two strangers at a beach in Vancouver for over an hour. The two of them reflected to me that it was amazing how this little hand-woven ball was a bridge to help us connect,” he said “That is a beautiful thing because there's not a lot of experiences that can unite people.” began to spread. To capitalize on the game’s success Morris reached out to his friend and now business partner Michael Rogers to start selling the spheres and that’s how Play Chi Ball was born. “We're all over the States now,” said Morris We just had a friend send us videos of them playing on the beaches in Nicaragua I know there are people in Mexico playing right now We had somebody in Brazil buy a ball – Australia Though the game is all about linking strangers but if it bounces once and players are able to keep it airborne then the fumbling team only deducts five points from its total score Morris and Rogers regularly travel to the Island and the mainland to host impromptu chi ball gatherings where the pair invite passersby to take part in the game people tell the co-owners they think chi ball could be an Olympic sport “When you're playing a full-on rally with somebody “I figure if ping pong can be in the Olympics I can only imagine in five years when this game’s taken off how fast future chi ballers are going to be.” Dialogue and debate are integral to a free society and we welcome and encourage you to share your views on the issues of the day. 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HALIFAX — The Salt Spring Island couple whose remains recently washed ashore on Nova Scotia’s remote Sable Island have been identified as 70-year-old James Brett Clibbery and his 54-year-old wife said the RCMP have confirmed their identities said she’s heard many theories about what happened to the adventurous couple after June 11 when they left Halifax harbour in a 13-metre sailboat en route to the Azores Spielman declined to speculate on what went wrong during what was intended to be a 3,200-kilometre voyage to the Portuguese archipelago and the Mounties have said they are still investigating the RCMP confirmed they had identified Clibbery’s body with the help of the province’s medical examiner’s office The Mounties previously confirmed the couple’s sailboat But it wasn’t until July 10 that their bodies were found in a three-metre inflatable boat on Sable Island A spokesperson for the Transportation Safety Board of Canada said it is still gathering information about the boat’s disappearance Clibbery and Packwood described themselves as adventure travellers They routinely posted details of their trips on a YouTube channel called Theros Sailing Adventures The channel features videos showing sailing trips that extend from Canada’s west coast to the Panama Canal The smiling pair can often be seen on the open ocean aboard their two-masted GibSea yacht which featured an electric motor powered by solar panels “Yes they were quite a pair and will be missed,” Spielman said in an email “Theros Sailing Adventures really document their lives almost from the day they met They will always be present with their YouTube videos Packwood included images of the sailboat at the yacht club in Dartmouth where she said the couple were preparing for their Green Odyssey adventure the captain and I intend to set sail in the next day or two for an ocean crossing,” Packwood’s message says “I will endeavour to document our experiences along the way and will be able to publish videos when we reach land.” The video shows the exterior of the sleek sailboat and concludes with the message “See you on the other side,” superimposed on a partly cloudy sky Clibbery posted a video on Facebook showing him at the helm of Theros as the boat was about 15 km off Nova Scotia’s south coast the vast sweep of the blue North Atlantic in the background and that came out from Halifax behind us.” Spielman said Packwood’s career focused on relief work in Sudan she said Clibbery worked as a locomotive engineer for Canadian Pacific Railway and retired at 55 Clibbery and Packwood first met in May 2015 at a bus stop in London where Clibbery was undergoing tests before donating a kidney to his sister Glory who was working in London at the British Department for International Development like Robert Redford,” she told The Guardian newspaper in October 2020 The pair discovered a shared passion for travel and their relationship blossomed He proposed to her in the spring of 2016 while she was visiting his home on Salt Spring Island “He took me on my first ever yacht trip and I loved it,” Packwood said “Brett proposed to me in the main cabin of the boat.” Their sailing adventures started the following year Clibbery told The Guardian he was impressed by his wife’s resourcefulness “She is an amazing lady who never lets anything get in her way,” he said “Not even months of sea sickness when we went sailing.”