We Scare Hunger Non Perishable Food Drive This Halloween

For several years now, our students have been invited to attend We Day in Vancouver.

Here is a video about We Day:

From the We website:

"WE Day is a powerful, life-changing event that combines the energy of a live concert with the inspiration of extraordinary stories of leadership and change.

WE Day brings together world-renowned speakers and award-winning performers with tens of thousands of young people to celebrate their contributions and kick-start another year of change.

WE Day has evolved from a single event nearly eight years ago into a series of 14 stadium-sized events held across Canada, the United States and the UK. This past year, 200,000 students attended

WE Day and left inspired to create change at local and global levels.

You can’t buy a ticket to WE Day. Students earn their event tickets by taking one local and one global action through WE Schools, our yearlong educational program that engages and empowers young people to become compassionate leaders and active citizens. Some students collect food for homeless shelters. Others raise money to build classrooms overseas. Every young person makes their own journey to WE Day, but together, they discover their power to change the world."


Inspired by our involvement in We Day, our students are planning is a food drive during their trick or treating this Halloween. 

Hiking Nootka Trail

Here is an excellent source of information about hiking the Nootka Trail from MB Guiding

Map from Federation of Mountain Clubs of BC

Latest Pool Schedule

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Tahsis Halloween Concert

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Village of Tahsis Halloween Night Festivities

Here are some photos of some Halloween scenes from years past:

Ubedam Theatre Society Read Throughs

2016 Flu Immunization Clinics

Cougar Sighting

There's been another cougar sighting, this time up in the townsite.  

Here is some information from the Ministry of the Environment website:

Safety Guide to Cougars

British Columbians are fortunate to share their province with cougars, one of the most mysterious and elusive of all creatures. The cougar's secretive habits and astounding predatory abilities - a cougar is capable of killing a 270 kg (600 lb) moose - have resulted in a wealth of misconceptions and irrational fears.
Actually, most British Columbians live all their lives without a glimpse of a cougar, much less a confrontation with one. Conflict between cougars and humans is extremely rare. In the past 100 years, a total of five people have been killed by cougar attacks in B.C. (in comparison, bees kill upwards of three Canadians every year). All but one of these fatal cougar attacks occurred on Vancouver Island. During the same period, there were 29 non-fatal attacks in British Columbia - 20 of which occurred on Vancouver Island. The vast majority of these attacks were on children under the age of 16.
Although a cougar attack is highly unlikely, it always pays to be prepared. Information and awareness are your best defenses.

About Cougars:

• The cougar, also called mountain lion or panther, is Canada's largest cat. Cougars have long tails which may be one-third of their total body length.
• An adult male cougar weighs between 63 and 90 kg (140-200 lbs), and a female cougar, between 40 and 50 kg (90-120 lbs). The biggest cougars are found in the interior and the Kootenays.
• The cougar's primary prey is deer. It will also feed on wild sheep, elk, rabbits, beaver, raccoons, grouse, and occasionally livestock.
• Cougars are most active at dusk and dawn. However, they will roam and hunt at any time of the day or night and in all seasons.
• During late spring and summer, one to two-year old cougars become independent of their mothers. While attempting to find a home range, these young cougars may roam widely in search of unoccupied territory. This is when cougars are most likely to conflict with humans.

Tracks:

• Cougars have four toes with three distinct lobes present at the base of the pad. Claws are retractable, so they usually do not leave imprints.
• Generally, cougars are solitary. If tracks show two or more cougars traveling together, it probably indicates a female with kittens.

When in Cougar Country:

Cougars primarily occupy the southern third of British Columbia. Most conflict with cougars occurs in rural communities, where people live in isolated settlements. People also encounter cougars while spending leisure time in cougar country.
Cougars are predators - the top of the food chain - and their actions are often unpredictable. We have little understanding about what might trigger an attack, but following these general guidelines will reduce the risk of cougar conflict and prepare you in the unlikely event of an attack.

Children:

Cougars seem to be attracted to children, possibly because their high-pitched voices, small size, and erratic movements make it difficult for cougars to identify them as human and not prey.

• Talk to children and teach them what to do if they encounter a cougar.
• Encourage children to play outdoors in groups, and supervise children playing outdoors.
• Consider getting a dog for your children as an early-warning system. A dog can see, smell, and hear a cougar sooner then we can. Although dogs offer little value as a deterrent to cougars, they may distract a cougar from attacking a human.
• Consider erecting a fence around play areas.
• Keep a radio playing.
• Make sure children are home before dusk and stay inside until after dawn.
• If there have been cougar sightings, escort children to the bus stop in the early morning. Clear shrubs away around the bus stop, making an area with a nine-metre (30 foot) radius. Have a light installed as a general safety precaution.

Your yard and home:

• Do not attract or feed wildlife, especially deer or raccoons. These are natural prey and may attract cougars.

Pets:

• Roaming pets are easy prey.
• Bring pets in at night. If they must be left out, confine them in a kennel with a secure top.
• Do not feed pets outside. This not only attracts young cougars but also many small animals, such as mice and raccoons, that cougars prey upon.
• Place domestic livestock in an enclosed shed or barn at night.

Hiking or working in cougar country:

• Hike in groups of two or more. Make enough noise to prevent surprising a cougar.
• Carry a sturdy walking stick to be used as a weapon if necessary.
• Keep children close-at-hand and under control.
• Watch for cougar tracks and signs. Cougars cover unconsumed portions of their kills with soil and leaf litter. Avoid these food caches.
• Cougar kittens are usually well-hidden. However, if you do stumble upon cougar kittens, do not approach or attempt to pick them up. Leave the area immediately, as a female will defend her young.

If you meet a cougar:

• Never approach a cougar. Although cougars will normally avoid a confrontation, all cougars are unpredictable. Cougars feeding on a kill may be dangerous.
• Always give a cougar an avenue of escape.
• Stay calm. Talk to the cougar in a confident voice.
• Pick all children up off the ground immediately. Children frighten easily and their rapid movements may provoke an attack.
• Do not run. Try to back away from the cougar slowly. Sudden movement or flight may trigger an instinctive attack.
• Do not turn your back on the cougar. Face the cougar and remain upright.
• Do all you can to enlarge your image. Don't crouch down or try to hide. Pick up sticks or branches and wave them about.

If a cougar behaves aggressively:

• Arm yourself with a large stick, throw rocks, speak loudly and firmly. Convince the cougar that you are a threat not prey.
• If a cougar attacks, fight back! Many people have survived cougar attacks by fighting back with anything, including rocks, sticks, bare fists, and fishing poles.

Cougars are a vital part of our diverse wildlife. Seeing a cougar should be an exciting and rewarding experience, with both you and the cougar coming away unharmed. However, if you do experience a confrontation with a cougar or feel threatened by one, immediately inform the nearest office of the Conservation Officer service.

TONIGHT - Community Consultation for Vancouver Island West School District 84

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Happy Birthday Frank

Over 40 people turned up to say cheers to Frank Collins and enjoy a birthday potluck dinner at the Seniors Centre Monday night.  Janet organized a lovely meal, and everyone enjoyed themselves, including Frank who made a heartfelt speech to his family, friends and neighbours. 

Family Story Time

The Family Story Time at the library is lots of fun, and last Saturday was an autumn theme.  The kids received knitted pumpkin hats donated by Stephanie, and some mini pumpkins from Dave and Stella's Tahsis Community Garden bed.  

The program is aimed at kids 5 and under with their families, and there are 3 more sessions left in this season.  We have stories and songs and exploring the library.  

The remaining dates are October 29th, November 12th and November 26th at 10:30 am at the Vancouver Island Regional Library Tahsis Branch.

(On October 29th feel free to wear a costume and we will have treats)

Community Consultation Meeting with Claire Trevena, MLA

Tahsis Literacy Society Annual General Meeting

Tahsis Halloween Concert

Opening Day for Sally's Grill

A new eatery in Tahsis, Sally's Grill opened today!

Sally's Grill Website

Sally's Grill Facebook Page

Sally and Cynthia

My first treat, an excellent cinnamon bun!  Warm and gooey.

The humpback whale made an appearance as we enjoyed our coffee.  Can't beat the scenery!

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Frank Collins Birthday Potluck

Happy Birthday Frank!

Community Potluck Dinner

In Honour of 

Frank Collins

on his birthday,

October 17th

6:30 pm

at the Seniors Room

Everyone Welcome

Please Bring a Dish to Share

Teen Game Night

A Christmas Story at Chemainus Theatre

Whales visit

Recently, here have been several sightings of humpback whales in our inlet, right close to the shore.  

Up to four at once have been seen feeding, diving, and breaching, in the past few days.

Also nearby have been lots of different birds, seals, and sea lions.  

I guess there's good food out there to eat right now!

Visitors and locals have all been enjoying the show.  Great shot, Sue!

For more beautiful photography, check out Susan Felhouser Photography

Photo by Susan Felhouser

Upcoming School Board Meeting

Ocean View Restaurant Thanksgiving Day Special

Ladies Craft Night

This is an ongoing and fun activity, especially with the long wet winter looming.  Bring whatever you are working on, and have a nice social evening out.   

Residential Clean-Up 2016

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Welcome Back Week!

From the Vancouver Island Regional Library Website: 

Introducing Welcome Back Week!

 

 

 

For one week in October (during I <3 Library Month), customers are being invited to bring back their overdue materials to have all associated fines and costs removed! The library is welcoming everyone, especially those with late fees, to visit their branch October 23-29^th and get back into borrowing again!

Customers who can’t find their overdue materials or have long outstanding fines are also welcome back during Welcome Back Week. VIRL will waive up to $20 owing from their account and, for those with fees in excess of $20, can provide a payment plan to help make paying back fines more manageable.
 
Why Welcome Back Week? For those who can’t afford it, having an overdue fine can make the difference between choosing to come back to their library or not, and therefore accessing the wealth of resources and opportunities their library provides. VIRL is a vital resource for the community as an access point to public computers, job seeking help, printing, tech support, the internet, and of course, access to a huge collection of materials which promote literacy, learning and enrichment.
Initiatives like Welcome Back Week are tried and tested programs that bring people back to their local libraries and materials back into circulation; they have been shown to work effectively when employed.

With October being Canadian Library Month, the opportunity was perfect to host and promote a Welcome Back Week across Vancouver Island Regional Library, encouraging library use, increasing access to literacy in our communities and enriching lives through universal access to knowledge and lifelong learning.
 
To participate during Welcome Back Week, visit a branch or to learn more, contact us at info@virl.bc.ca or 1-877-415-VIRL!