Great new Tahsis Resource Business!

Congratulations to Tahsis resident Harmony Nielsen, who has just become a Realtor with Royal Lepage Advance Realty Ltd.  Here is her facebook page with more information, or call Harmony at (250) 934-5583.   

From the website:  

Hello everyone!

Welcome to my Facebook page. Here you’ll find another way to connect and stay in touch with me. I have set up this page to offer you current and relevant real estate related resources along with thought inspiring articles and also, from time to time, links to key properties in Tahsis that may be of interest to you or someone you know.

Tahsis, BC is a beautiful little village on the rugged West Coast of Vancouver Island, located 2 hours northwest of Campbell River. Nestled between mountains and the ocean, it is a beautiful little community with rugged landscapes, amazing wildlife, world class fishing, and gorgeous views. I have been a resident of Tahsis for 11 years and and for the first 7 of these years, I worked full-time for the Village of Tahsis Municipal Office. A large part of this job was dealing with municipal bylaws, therefore I developed an extensive knowledge of our zoning and subdivision bylaws,lot plans and mapping,as well as the Official Community Plan.

This background and knowledge,accompanied by determination and focus, gives me a great foundation for my career as a Realtor®.

Whether you are a buyer looking for a full time or vacation home in Tahsis and surrounding area, or if you are looking to sell your property, I would love the opportunity to work with you and to give 100% of my efforts to make your dreams turn into reality.

"Local Realtor®....Local Knowledge"

Flea Market Coming up on February 7th

The Tahsis Senior's Society is organizing a Flea Market for Saturday, February 7th at 11 am at the Tahsis Recreation Centre.  Set up is at 10 am.  If you'd like to rent a table for $10 please contact Catherine at (250) 934-6303 or Janet at (250) 934-7799.  Space is limited so don't wait to book a table!  Coffee and baked goods will be available.

Some other information about the Tahsis Seniors:



The Seniors have set up a great meeting room for their group at the school.  The "over 50" club enjoys playing shuffleboard and pool, puzzles, games, and an extensive collection of books to borrow.

The hours for dropping in are Wednesdays and Fridays 1-3 pm, Friday 7-9 pm, and Sunday mornings starting at 9 am.
 
Their monthly potlucks (first Thursday of every month at 6:30 pm) are renowned for the delicious food.

Janet hosts free crochet classes there every Sunday night from 7-9 pm.

This is a vibrant and ambitious group with lots of plans and projects on the go.  Membership in the Society is $20 a year (or just $10 from now until the AGM) and the next annual general meeting is on May 7th, 2015 at 7:30 pm.  For any more information, please contact Tahsis Senior's Society President Bill Carpenter at (250) 934-6388.    

A Baby Shower for Emily Rose

Emily Rose

Last Sunday, about 50 people gathered at Oceanview Restaurant to celebrate the birth of beautiful baby Emily Rose, one of the newest residents of our village, at 6 weeks old.  She was passed from lap to lap, enjoying the cuddles and serenely watching the balloons overhead.

Congratulations to Emily's parents Dorian and Sierra, and the extended family too.  Santosh provided the delicious pizza, salad and cake that we enjoyed with our coffee and tea.  Sophia and Silas the preschoolers helped unwrap the presents and Allison was in charge of the age old tradition of fashioning a fancy hat out of all the bows and ribbons from the gifts.

    

Community Economic Development Strategies

Recently, the village of Tahsis has been working with George Penfold and his company to come up with strategies for improving our economic development potential for the future of our village.  There is some new information on the village website from the community consultations and the community survey results.

Here are the Tahsis Community Economic Development Strategy Workshop Notes from November 19 2014.

Here are the Tahsis Business Workshop Notes from November 20 2014.

Here are the Tahsis Goals and Strategies Community Workshop from December 10 2014.

Here is the Tahsis Background Report from January 2015.

Here are the Tahsis Economic Development Strategy Community Survey results.

There is a lot of interesting information here, and many good ideas for our unique challenges we face for the future of Tahsis.  I encourage everyone to be involved in the process, if possible so we can cooperate together to help our village flourish.

From George Penfold, via the Village of Tahsis Website:

In line with the OCP (Official Community Plan), the objectives for the community’s future development are:

• To grow and diversify the Village’s economic base;

• To promote a local economy that compliments its rich resource-based nature, the history, the culture, and the natural characteristics of the Village and surrounding area;

• To facilitate economic development through the improvement of regional transportation links and the provision of an enhanced level of telecommunication support, community services, and tourist amenities;

• To facilitate the continued expansion of the region’s growing eco-tourism industry.

In part 3 of the OCP under Economic Development Strategies the OCP states the following are mentioned: “Over the life of this plan, the Village of Tahsis will continue to make a transition from a primary resource economy to a tourist and service based economy.

The Village of Tahsis has engaged George Penfold Community Planning and Development Consulting from Comox BC, in association with Lions Gate Consulting Inc. from Vancouver BC to prepare the Economic Development Strategy and Action Plan for the Village of Tahsis.

The project approach to this project includes 11 steps:

• Consultants meeting with Council and staff

• Initial Community Consultation

• Preparation of a Background Report

• Non-resident survey

• Second Community Consultation

• Meeting with Council and Staff

• Development of a Strategic Plan Framework

• Review the Draft Framework with Council and Staff

• Prepare a Draft Economic Development Strategy

• Community Open House/Workshop

• Undertake pre-feasibility analysis of priority actions

• Prepare and Present the Final Economic Development Strategy Report

Community workshops on the Tahsis Economic Development Strategy took place in November and December. Summaries of those workshops are now available (see downloads in the sidebar.) Over the fall, we conducted an on-line survey. We received 75 responses to that survey, and a summary of the survey results is also available

We also put together a background report on the Village and area that includes the socio economic data that is available, as well as an overview of the various economic sectors that have the greatest impact on the Village A draft of that report is also available.

With that information in hand, we gathered together a “long list” of all the ideas about initiatives that should be included in the Economic Development Strategy and Action Plan. It is a very long wish list. What we have had to do is ask “which of these initiatives can council act on given the limited financial and staff resources available to the municipality and the community, and which of those could have the biggest positive impact?”

This is a difficult step. Because the municipality (council) was identified as the key organization in the community to deal with implementation of the Strategy, we are taking our first attempt at developing and applying a “framework” to evaluate and sort the long list to council in late January. With their input, we will make any necessary revisions to the framework and put together a draft Economic Development Strategy and Action Plan, to present to the community in February. We have not yet established the date for the community presentation, but will send out a notice when that is decided, and will post a copy of the Draft Strategy on this site.

If you have questions or would like more information, Contact:

George Penfold, M.Sc.
Community Planning and Development Consulting
Phone: (250) 941-1384
Email: geo.penfold@gmail.com

Doug Chapman, Chief Finance Officer
Village of Tahsis
977 South Maquinna Drive , P.O. Box 219
Tahsis, BC, V0P 1X0
Phone: (250) 934-6344
Email: dchapman@villageoftahsis.com

Missoula Children's Theatre presents Aladdin at CMESS

Sam as Aladdin

Congratulations to the students of CMESS for an excellent day of shows!  After just 5 days the kids put on a thoroughly entertaining production.  From the mysterious "uncle" to the littlest penguin, each cast member gave a great performance.

Patrick and Kaitlynn

Thanks to Missoula members Codi and Leore for inspiring our kids to do so well.  Thanks also to the visiting students from Zeballos for taking part and making it possible for us to do the full cast!  It was great having more kids here at CMESS, you were good sports to commute by boat everyday for practices.

Sinbad and his sailors

Having former CMESS student Ashianna come to be our pianist for the show was a real treat.  We've missed you, Ash!

Ashianna

 

Thanks also to the generous donation of accomodations needed for our guests this week to Esperanza Ministries and Westview Marina.

Kaitlynn and Emily

Glyn's fabulous lasagna

 

PAC, who made bringing Missoula Children's Theatre to Tahsis possible, hosted a delicious fundraiser dinner prior to the evening show.  Tahsis residents once again showed great support for our school and tickets were sold out.  50 lucky guests enjoyed Mr. Howell's lasagna meals, and assisting him in the kitchen were Janet, Jean, Maureen, Corrine, Allison, Danielle, Patti, Brendan, Ashianna, Casey, and me.

Well done, everyone!  

Don't forget! Something very exciting happening in Tahsis on Saturday!

If you haven't already purchased your tickets for the dinner theatre, you are running out of time!  If you aren't planning on joining us for dinner then we will see you at the matinee performance of Missoula Theatre's Aladdin.

The students have worked very hard on this play, and it is promising to be a great one.  Our Drama program is strong at CMESS.

On that subject, congratulations to the CMESS Pirate Improv team who competed in Courtenay last night and gave it their all.  Unfortunately they will not be moving on to the finals in Victoria, but by all accounts they put on a great show and had a lot of fun!  Their motto is "We are a team, we are family, WE ARE PIRATES!"

Pirate Improv 2015

Some CMESS Pirate Improv in 2014

Community Consultation Meeting Notice

Notice to all Parents, Students, Staff, and Community Members of

Captain Meares Elementary Secondary School

A public meeting will be held at

Captain Meares Elementary Secondary School

on Tuesday, February 3, 2015,

from 5:00-7:00 pm, to discuss:

   Learning Opportunities in SD84

   Cost Pressures/Demographics

   School Calendar 2015-2016

You are encouraged to participate in this meeting.

Refreshments provided.

For more information please contact:

Vancouver Island West School District 84

PO Box 100, #2 Highway 28, Gold River, BC V0P 1G0

Telephone 250-283-2241 Fax 250-283-7352

www.sd84.bc.ca

The Sewing Weekend (Sew-in)

There is a craft night group that meets at the Rec. Centre at 7 pm each Wednesday night.  Sometimes throughout the year, they also plan a "sew-in" at the school during off times to work on large (or small) quilting projects.  This past weekend, a few women got together to work on their projects at the school, in the spacious kitchen.  They bring their sewing machines, their ironing boards and lots of good meals.
  
If you want to drop in to craft night on Wednesday, just bring your toonie and whatever project you are working on.  At craft night, we have seen crochet, knitting, sewing projects, cross stitch, hardanger, scrapbooking, quilting and many other cool hobbies.  It's a great group of creative ladies.

      

Nootka Sound Outdoor Program

Some of our CMESS students joined other kids in the district this past weekend for some cross country skiing, courtesy of our Nootka Sound Outdoor Program.  Blue skies and smiling faces!

Lexi, Kaitlynn and Sam.  Photo by Philip Parkes

 

Farm to School Lunch Program 2015

Today was our first day for our Farm to School Lunch Program at CMESS.  It was hugely successful; students of all ages and visitors enjoyed the vegetarian roasted tomato garlic soup with cheesy rye bread and Caesar salad.

This is an ongoing twice a week program to make and serve healthy soup and salad lunches to CMESS staff, students and visitors at an economical price.  We try and feature local ingredients whenever possible.  This week we are using local thyme, bay leaves, potatoes and eggs.  

We welcomed three new volunteers today, so thank you very much Mary, Tina and Spencer.  Thanks also to regular volunteer Janet who came in to support us as well.  A big thank you to Corinne in the office for all her work behind the scenes also.  Well done, everyone!

 

Monday Breakfast at Tahsis Community Church

Every Monday morning, from 8 am to 11 am, the Tahsis Community Church serves breakfast as a fundraiser to repair the church building.

Terry P. cooks up omelettes, pancakes, eggs to order, bacon, sausage, hash browns, waffles, fruit, muffins, juice and bottomless coffee or tea for very reasonable prices.  

Nootka Sound Outdoor Program

Ciara enjoys snowshoes.  Photo by Philip Parkes

One thing we can count on in Tahsis is that our students have lots of opportunities to be out in the natural environment as part of their education.  Some of those experiences are with the Nootka Sound Outdoor Program.

Information from the School District 84 website:

Mission:  To Explore a World of inquiry Beyond the Traditional Classroom

The Nootka Sound Outdoor Program allows students to earn credits toward graduation, dual credit college credits, and industry certifications while engaging in wilderness pursuits and contributing towards traditional and modern stewardship projects.  This unique board-certified program, offered outside the regular school timetable during weekends and holidays, provides students the flexibility of choosing activities that interest them at their comfort level.

This past weekend, three CMESS students joined other kids in the district for some outdoor adventures at Mount Washington Alpine Resort, located 50 km south of Campbell River.  They went snowshoeing and snowboarding.

This unique and valuable program is run by Philip Parkes, who plans all kinds of excellent trips, revolving around activities such as surfing, first aid courses, canoeing, kayaking, scuba diving, horseback riding, trail hiking, winter camps, survival training, gun safety, sailing, caving, and rock climbing.

 

Missoula Theatre is coming to Tahsis!

Get your tickets!  

Missoula Theatre is coming to CMESS, to work with our students to perform:

Our kids have worked with Missoula Theatre before several times.  Our kids are gifted in drama, and have had several opportunities to work on various productions over the years.

The Missoula production of Treasure Island at CMESS in 2011

Current Recreation Centre Schedule

We are very lucky here in Tahsis to have a well stocked Community Rec. Centre.

It's unusual for a village this size to have all the services we have!

We enjoy an indoor pool, bowling lanes, gymnasium, available daycare, pool tables, weight room, meeting room, commercial kitchen, a weekly movie night for kids and teens, a weekly craft night, internet services, parents and tots drop-ins, and pickle-ball drop-ins.  Once in a while, kids will just go over with a friend or two to do a puzzle or play a board game.  

The Tahsis Literacy Society is having its regular meeting there tonight, although normally they meet on the last Monday of every month.  The Twang Gang practices there once a week.  Large community events are often held at our Rec. Centre, such as our BBQ that finishes the weekend of our Annual Salmon Enhancement Derby in August.  Birthday parties, author nights, Easter Egg hunts, knitting classes, various town meetings, Junior Rangers Meetings, The Rec. Centre is home to it all, as one of our most valuable resources here in Tahsis.    

Happy New Year Dinner

In a characteristically generous gesture, Gary from the Tahsis Ice Company hosted an event at his place this evening, inviting the entire community.  "Beef on a Bun" was on the menu, deliciously cooked on a bbq spit over a fire.  The turkey was tasty too.  We had good company and lots of laughs to go with our excellent meal.
 

Gary is the man in the red apron.  Great neighbour, great cook!

Happy New Year! Polar Bear Swim 2015

After a cold clear night of fireworks and a bonfire, we have beautiful day to start off the new year, and some tough swimmers took to the water at the Tahsis boat launch.

A big thank you to Mervin, Maureen, Mario and Dan, who supplied and made the hot dogs and hot chocolate for the swimmers and spectators to keep warm.

It seems even the Salmon Enhancement Fish Statue celebrates the New Year.

Nice day for a swim?  There was a thin sheet of ice in places.

Get ready, get set...

GO!

A determined trio

Dennis holds the Canadian Flag, and also had the name PAT written on his back,
as a tribute to a Tahsis senior who recently passed away.
Pat always participated in the Polar Bear Swim and we missed her this year!  

A good start!  Next year I'm sure she'll be dunking like the rest of them.

Tahsis Time Grill provided complimentary treats and coffee for the New Year Celebration.
What a great place to warm up!