Did you know that there’s an official manual published by the BC government, explaining how to identify and describe culturally modified trees? (If you’re not sure what those are, see Gabriolan’s past post on the subject, Gabriola’s culturally modified trees.) You can download the guide (as a honking big pdf of more than 38 megs, [...]
Filed in First Nations,Gabriola Island,history 3 Comments so far
In the summer, the leaves are green and this tree blends into the woods. But in fall and winter, it’s easy to spot, at least until the leaves finally fall off. It’s Cascara: Rhamnus purshiana. The Wikipedia page about it notes: The dried, aged bark of this tree has been used continually for at least [...]
Tis the season of serendipity**, apparently, and the universe is throwing all things turkey my way this week, so here’s a followup to my recent post about turkeys. I came across this vintage Christmas song today. I couldn’t find a free link to the original song from 1934 in its entirety, but here’s a modern [...]
Filed in food,music 3 Comments so far
Somewhere on Gabriola there’s a dog who travels everywhere on the back of this motorcycle. I see this bike parked at hiking spots all over the island, and often for long periods of time. The dog who travels on the back of the bike is clearly getting some very fine walks!
Filed in dogs,Gabriola Island 2 Comments so far
Want to have some RCMP folks check to make sure that your car and your papers are in order? Head over to North and Bertha to see your tax dollars being spent on the important task of stopping all drivers. Noonish update: event organizers are gone already! No, wait — they’re at lunch.Do you think [...]
Filed in Gabriola Island 2 Comments so far
Need a craft project to keep you busy over the holidays? Instead of buying an antler chandelier, get busy and make one instead. Of course you’ll need to find enough antlers first, but that’s a good thing. Hunting for antlers will get you off your tukus and into the Gabriola woods. Perfect way to work [...]
Filed in assorted No Responses yet
So did you have turkey for the holiday, whichever one you celebrated, and are you tired of the leftovers yet? We had a very simple meal featuring a smallish turkey but will be eating leftovers for a few days. Personally I’m very fond of turkey sandwiches, but you can only eat so many sandwiches. So [...]
Filed in food No Responses yet
If there’s an earthquake, should bugs be part of Gabriola’s search and rescue team? The Telegraph reports on camera carrying insects: Minute cameras and microphones mounted on the backs of beetles will help emergency services find victims trapped or buried underneath rubble. Researchers aim to power a tiny backpack of sensors by scavenging energy from [...]
Filed in insects No Responses yet
If you’re in the mood for mulled apple cider and treats, stop in at the library today, December 24th, and have a wee snack. (Between 11 am and 3:30.)
Filed in events,Gabriola Island Comments Off
Here’s what People for a Healthy Community sent along today: People for a Healthy Community and the Housing Task Force are working towards the development of an Affordable Housing Strategy for Gabriola. Although surveys have been done in the past this one is focusing on filling gaps and updating the information previously gathered for the [...]
Filed in Gabriola Island 29 Comments so far
Street Art Utopia shows off the lots of fun photos. Now, take a look at the first one. If you’re going to leave a pile of logs lying around on Gabriola, please do that to them!
Filed in assorted One Response so far
Here’s news for anybody interested in Gabriola’s history. Nick Doe writes: I’ve been researching Gabriola’s ice-age history this last summer and have come up with a few surprises, but none greater than this. As yet it is not clear whether this leg bone is from a mastodon or woolly mammoth; and we don’t know yet [...]
Filed in Gabriola Island,history 9 Comments so far
If your new year’s resolution involves going to the dentist, read this first: A Closer Look at Teeth May Mean More Fillings. How annoying is that? I need a new dentist, and I’ll be asking some very specific questions now before signing up for any sort of dental care.
Filed in assorted One Response so far
Have you seen the Christmas decorations in the Tunnel? They went up yesterday afternoon, which I know because I happened to see people putting them up; it felt a bit like catching Santa. I should have stopped and asked those decorators if they’ve been putting up Christmas decorations in the Elder Cedar Nature Reserve over [...]
Filed in Gabriola Island Comments Off
At this time of year, pedestrians are difficult to see in the evening. I’m not suggesting that we add any signs about this, but if we were to do so, I’d opt for the first sign shown in the Haiku Traffic Signs article: She walks in beauty Like the night. Maybe that’s why Drivers can’t [...]
Filed in assorted 3 Comments so far
Nobody’s worried about a water shortage on Gabriola at the moment, what with puddles full of water and a forecast of showers, showers, and then more showers. But of course it’s a different matter in the summer, and at that point you might be thinking of ways to save water. So here’s news on that: [...]
Filed in assorted One Response so far
If you’ve ever wanted more information about Gabriola’s demographics, this Tyee article should please you: What Open StatsCan Can Do for You. The summary: Next year, piles of agency data become free. How cities, biz and non-profits benefit from the glut. Will the information be useful to you?
Filed in assorted 3 Comments so far
For those who enjoyed the green curtain, what about a green wall? We spent a mini-vacation in Vancouver on the August long weekend, and visited the Vancouver Aquarium for the first time in far too long. The green wall outside the Aquarium entrance is not new, so perhaps some of you have already seen it, [...]
Filed in environment,gardening,native plants 2 Comments so far
