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Fuel Self-Expression & Development Experience Group Support
Get Creative & Have Fun !!!

Increase your ability to cope with difficult situations, reduce anxiety & stress and develop creative tools for self empowerment and happiness!

Register: 250.247.7311 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Presented by Liz McKnight, Art Therapist, Janice Power, MSC

FREE - FREE - FREE - FREE - FREE - FREE - FREE - FREE

Childminding available for free! Election will be held at the AGM. Positions up for election include: Chair, Vice-Chair, Treasurer, Secretary. Contact the school or any of the current officers for more information.

TBA or call for info or see The Sounder for details.

1630 Wellington Road, Nanaimo

Wednesdays starting May 16: Parenting Today Workshop: Prepare for the challenges of the teen years. Each week we’ll explore a different topic and learn practical skills and tools to help. Free workshop sponsored by PHC. To register call: PHC 250-247-7311 or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

There will be a book launch of the second edition of James Hawkin's biography, "Antony's Private Parts"' at the Theatre Centre. On this night only, the book will be available at a discount price of $15, and limited to one book per person.
 
On the same evening Antony will be performing the final version of "One Man in His Time ", which has been in the process of creation for six months. He has performed several versions of it and audiences have told him that the second half is the strongest. This has to do with his experiences in the Desert War 1940 -43, in Egypt and Libya; a war described by the enemy General Erwin Rommel as a war without hate, a sentiment echoed by Antony's own commander - General Auckinleck.

Antony hs now eliminated the first half and expanded the war years to include more songs and poems, and also the special occasion hisy biographer described as unique in the annals of British military history. Antony is the only person living in Canada who is a veteran of that war, and the only person in the world able to perform that experience as a piece of live theater.

Tickets are at a bargain price of $5.00 for the combination of these two events. They are available at Artworks, and only a limited number will be sold.

Fish and Bird

... new work by Eden Thompson and Karen Cain.

Opening night: Friday from 7 - 10 pm

Open Saturday and Sunday from Noon - 5 pm

Great art plus music and a raffle.

Open every Saturday from 11 - 4 or thereabouts!

EGGS too! And so much more.

Learn more by checking out the VI News report on U-Tube HERE

The Gabriola Museum will launch its 2012 season with an exciting new exhibit about the Gabriola Brickyard and the way it shaped the lives of Gabriolans for more than five decades. The Gabriola Museum is at 505 South Road.

Museum spring hours are Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. www.gabriolamuseum.org

Pub raising funds for the Gabriola Museum and Historical Society. Held every second Saturday.

$5 cover

Many books, knitting, crafts and plants. Sale to be held at WI Hall, 476 South Rd, next to the Post Office.

Silva Bay Sunday Market open for the long weekend. On the green outside the Silva Bay Pub. Market will resume weekly starting Canada Day.

TBA

Every third Sunday - BINGO! - Gathering Place doors open 1:30, first call 2 pm, bring friends, choose your prizes, benefits teen programs, 19+.

The Culinary Wild Guide Presents: Wild Spring Greens & Beach Walk at Sandwell Park. Meet at the Boat Launch & Beach Access off The Strand. Identify and collect spring greens. Share a wild salad and juice. Register: The Culinary Wild Guide Customized Adventures in Nature 250-325-8273, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

School District #68 Strategic Planning Session at Gabriola Elementary School. Parents, students, staff, and community members are invited to join SD68 representatives for informal discussions. Meetings are being held at every school in the district. www.sd68.bc.ca

Every 2nd & 4th Thursday of each month. The vocal stylings of Amber Handley is perfectly paired with the guitar expertise of Brad Shipley, whilst savouring the delightful flavours of Woodfire.  Call ahead to reserve for this popular dynamic duo. .

The Coffeehouse feature is Over Worked and Under Played from Victoria. This group evolved naturally from a group of friends getting together to play music. Bob McKechnie (vocals and guitar), Doug VanDine (5-string banjo), Stephanie Moneo (mandolin), Mark Moneo (guitar), Dave Klassen (bass). This will be an Intimate Coffeehouse at the Gabriola Golf and Country Club - $5. Dinner at 6 pm, jam at 6:30 pm, open stage at 7 pm., feature @ at 9 pm.

Two performances ONLY to benefit Gabriola Players
Friday, May 25 (7:00 p.m.) and Saturday May 26 (2:00 p.m.)
Tickets: $20 ($18 for members of Gabriola Players) available from Artworks
For further information, please visit our website: www.gabriolaplayers.ca

In her most iconic role, popular Canadian actress Nicola Cavendish is bringing her Dora and Jessie Award winning portrayal of Shirley Valentine to Gabriola Island to conclude her 2012 nationwide tour.
Written by the incomparable British dramatist and screenwriter Willy Russell, this heartwarming and inspiring story brings to life an ignored and neglected, Liverpool housewife who makes a break from her mediocre existence with a life-changing trip to a Greek island. A hilarious and uplifting comedy that proves it’s never too late to live the life of your dreams.

Theatre Calgary’s Artistic Director Dennis Garnhum said, “Nichola Cavendish IS Shirley Valentine. I saw her play the role over 20 years ago and was mesmerized. Now she revives it with a new understanding of this wonderful housewife.” Adding, “You’ll laugh even louder and connect with her even more deeply. Nicola is one of the great actors of our country.”

...for Teen Peer Helping at The Skol. Silent auction, raffles, live music and more. $15, free kid-sitting at The Gathering Place with ticket.

Sale of marine items, from complete boats to small fittings.

Tables available for $25.

Shine, those dance shoes, and tune those guitars! The Gathering Place Peer Helper’s in Training are hosting ‘Gabriola’s Got Talent’. This event is open to all children ages 5-13 who are ready to showcase their talents to a supportive audience. Registration form and info are at the school through the Peer Helpers and at the Gathering Place, 250-247-8020. Great prizes and great fun!

Agenda available at www.rdn.bc.ca.

Always on the last Thursday of every month. Please call 247-9257, Tues., Wed., Fri. or Sat. to confirm your attendance.

Runs last Thursday of each month.

"There’s no going back. Forward is the only way. And it’s an easier journey when accompanied by other men and women who, no matter how different in other ways, understand us because of our shared experiences." Author Unknown

Sometimes, following the death of a loved one, it is helpful to talk to others, and sometimes it is easier to share with people who are not close to you. As one person in a grief group observed, "Sometimes my family and friends seem tired of hearing me, and besides, they have their own loss to deal with."

The Gabriola Companions Through Grief group will be meeting monthly on Gabriola Island. The group will provide an informal and relaxed setting where people can connect with others experiencing grief. Support is both given and received.

Hospice volunteers, Janice Power and Liz McKnight, will guide the discussion, based on the needs of those in attendance. 

Call Janice Power at 250-247-8498 or Liz McKnight at 250-713-8857 to pre-register and learn where and when the meeting will take place. You can also call Hospice at 250-758-8857 for more information on other programs offered by the Nanaimo Community Hospice Society.

We need volunteers. We plan to visually demonstrate the length of a VLCC Supertanker by marching a 1280 foot "Tanker Tape" down to the sea, as part of Gabriola's Ocean Day celebration. At least 50 people are needed to lend a hand and help carry the tape. Route and time are not firm yet, but please get in touch if you want to take part.

Benefitting the Gabriola Health Care Foundation and the Gabriola Community Health Clinic. Starting points will be the Gabriola Elementary School, Twin Beaches Mall and Silva Bay Inn. Start time is 9:30 a.m. For more information email organizers Al and Lou Strano at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , visit the website at members.shaw.ca/PrimaryCareGabriola or telephone 1-250-800-0323.

The Gabriola Island Photography Club’s next exhibition and sale will be from noon to 4:00 pm on Sunday June 3 at the Rollo Centre. This show’s theme is “Pushing Boundaries” which  can be interpreted many ways.

The exhibition and sale is a popular event held twice each year. It’s a great opportunity to see some photographers in action. Come and ask your questions about your cameras too! Door prizes.

Entry is FREE!

Join a Team: Attend Council

There are many teams at The Gabriola Commons, creating an amazing community resource and a wonderful place to be. Come and join the fun. Visit our website at www.gabriolacommons.ca.

Commons Coordinating Council is the first Tuesday of every month at 7:00 pm upstairs. Everyone is welcome.

Four centuries of music with Salt Springers Derrick Milton, Jim Stubbs,  trumpet; Vancouver french hornist Janet Summers; Whidbey trombonist Larry Heidel; and Gabriola bass trombone John Capon. Tickets $20 at the Village Liquor Store and at the door.

Entry is $25 per rod. There is a first prize of $1,000, second prize of $500, and 30 other prizes. Categories include largest chinook salmon, largest released chinook salmon, ling, hidden weights, and many others.

Tickets are available at Silva Bay Marina, Pages, Harbour Chandler, and Gone Fishin’. Contact numbers are 250 247-8662 for Silva Bay Marina, or 250 247-8807 for Bob at Silverblue Charters. Good luck!

 10-4 on Saturday, June 16 and 10-3 on Sunday, June 17.

This self guided tour is a not to be missed event. Passports only $20 and available at many locations on Gabriola, including each home on the tour.

Home & Garden tickets will be available for the month of June at:

Wildrose Garden Centre, Wheelbarrow Nursery, and ArtWorks here on the island Buckerfield’s, Dig This, and Blue Poppy Garden Gallery in Nanaimo.

Festival with music and food.

One of the toughest 10K road races in Canada!

The Gym at Twin Beaches is proud to present the inaugural run for the formidable Brickyard Beast 10K. This road race is not for the faint of heart, nor is it a race for those seeking their personal best. This is a hilly grind over some serious elevations with one goal in mind: GET TO THE FINISH. If that challenges you, then you’re in for a treat. The run is beautiful. The majority of the road leads you through lush west coast forest and it boasts spectacular ocean vistas. Gabriola Island has an abundance of wildlife so there’s a good chance you’ll spot deer, eagles and even sea lions along the way. And if that’s not enough, then there’s one more thing to entice you. Finish the run and earn yourself some serious bragging rights, especially among the locals. You’ll be known as the Beast Slayer.

Starting at roughly the island’s centre, there will be a short climb to get to the top of Ferne Hill. From there, you will gradually descend to sea level, passing stunning views of the Strait of Georgia and other Gulf Islands. Take it all in while you can because once you reach the bottom, the pain will begin as you face THE BEAST. Known to locals as Brickyard Hill, it’s an incline people have trouble driving up, let alone running up. This is no winding jaunt. It is a vertical climb straight up for just under 1km. What makes it particularly unpleasant is it turns into a 18% grade half way up, with the steepest parts being at the very top. Even if you can make it up without stopping for air, you’ll still have another 6.5K of more hilly terrain until you reach the New Medical Clinic and the finish line.

Online Registration will be available by May 1, 2012

This is a non-profit event with all proceeds going towards the Gabriola Elementary School Hot Lunch Program. We are looking for volunteers. If interested, please contact The Gym.

The Concert this year will once again feature “ABRA Cadabra” with an energetic and lively performance of ABBA’s timeless music. Contact any member of the Gabriola Lions for a ticket. Also available at the Visitor Centre at Twin Beaches starting in June.

Details closer to the date.