Jollity Farm Weekly Order Reminders

It's True Grain Bread Week!

Don't forget... we can pick up your pre-ordered groceries at the
Community Farm Shop, Superstore and 49th each Thursday. Save the trip
and save some time! Email, phone or text if you'd like more info.

Local milk, yogurt and bread orders due today by 5pm.
Other veggie, farm goods and delivery requests by Wednesday at 5pm.
No bagels this week!

With thanks,
Jollity Farmers

Gluten-free Sourdough Class

Wondering if anyone is interested in learning how to make gluten-free bread from scratch. 

If there is interest, I will book the kitchen at the hall. That means I don't have a date in mind yet.

Please email Emily at mlmcvr9@gmail.com   

For Sale

Set of 4 Firestone. Destination LE2 M+S tires.  Size 245/60R18 Tires have 33000km on them. $200
Rodney Brownlee 250 510 8647 after 8am.

Beef Available

There is still some grass fed and finished hamburger, roasts and steaks left I could sell for those of you that have shown interest in eating a healthier quality of beef without chemicals, hormones, pesticide, herbicide, or roundup residue.  Contact David at littleislander@protonmail.com to ask questions and/or place your order. Cut, wrapped, and frozen

COVID Bivalent Vaccine Clinics - Forbes Hall Community Centre

Pharmacist, Steve Robinson, from Pharmasave in Chemainus, will be coming over to do a COVID Bivalent Vaccine clinic on Sunday, February 26^th.  Both Moderna and Pfizer will be available.

Forbes Hall Health Services sent out an earlier posting to see if there were enough community members interested in having a vaccine clinic, and we had an excellent response with over 80 islanders responding.  To book an appointment you will need fill out a new form. 

Due to the high number of respondents to the first posting, two clinics will be offered.  Sunday, February 26, and Sunday, March 12^th.   The clinics and schedule will be filled first come, first served from respondents.  If you would prefer March 12^th, please let us know on the form, this will allow a later respondent to take part in the February 26 clinic. 

There is no charge for this service, and there will be minimal volunteers in attendance.  
Respond now with your intention to receive your vaccine at Forbes Hall, by filling out the form at this link:
https://forms.gle/s2RBqf8iCjc6g4zy7

Full instructions will be sent out with your date and appointment time. 

Thank you,
David Reay
TICA / Forbes Hall Health Services Group

Disease Threatens the Little Brown Bat - researchers ask public for help

B.C.’s bats, including the well-known Little Brown Bat, are threatened by a fungal disease headed towards the province from Alberta and Washington State. The Thetis Island Community Bat Program, in collaboration with the Province of BC, are asking the public for help in the effort to detect and prevent the spread of White-Nose Syndrome (WNS). Residents are urged to report any bat activity observed in winter and any sick or dead bats found before May 31^st.

White-Nose Syndrome is a fungal disease that is harmless to humans but has devastated North American bat populations. The fungus attacks bats while they are hibernating, appearing on their wings and faces to give an appearance of a white nose. Bats often wake to clean the fungus from their skin. This uses valuable energy, and finally the bats die from hypothermia and starvation. Across North America, millions of bats have been killed, and two BC species are now listed as Endangered. As a key predator for many night-flying insects, bats are essential parts of BC’s ecosystems and provide billions of dollars of economic benefit by helping control agricultural, forest, and urban pests.   

First detected in New York State in 2006, the disease continues to spread, with detections on the west coast close to Seattle and in south-central Alberta. Biologists say the arrival of WNS in BC is imminent. Increasing the number of reports from the public is the best chance to understand how WNS might spread and affect local bat populations. Though there is not yet a proven cure for WNS, several promising treatment options are being developed, and it may be possible to mitigate the effects of this wildlife health crisis. 

If you find a dead bat or have sightings of winter bat activity, on Thetis Island please report to Rob Welsh B.C. Community Bat Program Coordinator at 250-246-1547 or rmwelsh@telus.net.  Online at www.bcbats.ca , via email at info@bcbats.ca or by calling 1-855-922-2287 (1-855-GOT-BATS).  All live bats should be left alone — keep your distance, snap a photo and report it to the B.C. Community Bat Program. If you must move a bat, visit www.bcbats.ca for advice and never touch a bat with your bare hands. Please note that if you or your pet has been in direct contact with the bat you will need further information regarding the risk of rabies to you and your pet.

In partnership with the BC Ministry of Environment, and funded by the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation, Forest Enhancement Society of BC, Habitat Stewardship Program, and ThINC, the BC Community Bat Program provides information and promotes local stewardship and citizen science. You can find out more about the BC Community Bat Program and options for helping local bat populations at www.bcbats.ca, info@bcbats.ca, or 1-855-922-2287,.

Rob Welsh 250-246-1547

click image to view full size

Tour de Thetis

The regular free bicycle Tour de Thetis starts at 9.10 a.m. on Saturday at the community hall and ends there at 11 for storytelling and Fred's scrumptious cookies. All including e-bikers are welcome. 

Do the full course of 30 km or take a short-cut or two. 

For more, contact Dave at 250 246-3530.

Sunday Church

There will be a guest speaker this Sunday the 19th.
The topic is "Lessons from the book of Acts".

10 AM at the Community Centre, all are welcome.

Further info---Ernie 250-252-0144.

YELLOW Weather Warning

Weather Pattern: HIGH – There is good agreement between weather models that a cold air mass will begin moving into the northern B.C. on Feb. 20. The cold will make its way down south and likely into coastal communities throughout the week.

• Winds: MODERATE – Good confidence that the weather pattern will bring significant outflow winds along coastal valleys & inlets later in the week.

• Temperatures: MODERATE – Temperatures are expected to plummet to below average by 5-15 degrees, exact temperature forecasts for each region will unfold as the event draws nearer.

• Snowfall Amounts: LOW – The exact snowfall amounts remain uncertain and will highly depend on the intensity and tracks of the systems that approach during the cold period.

KEY POINTS:

Vancouver Island, Metro Vancouver, Fraser Valley: 5-10 degrees below average by Feb. 23

• The exact timing of the arrival of cold air throughout B.C. remains uncertain but the cold will likely intensify throughout the work week and continue into the weekend (Feb. 25-26).

• There is uncertainty as to when temperatures will return to near average values in the longer term.

Fire Chief J. Caldbeck

Notice Regarding Fee Increase for Garbage

Effective Wednesday March 1st Garbage Fees will be doubling as per information shared

during the 2023 budget approval process.

What was a $1 Bag will now be $2 and what was $5 will now be $10.

Fees have not increased since the original fee structure in 2014.

Through good composting and recycling behaviours, our garbage volumes can be reduced.

Please remember that our garbage is hauled all the way to Spokane, Washington.

Thank you for your conscientious solid waste management.

Solid Waste Committee (TIRRA)

Questions? Ernie Hunter, Solid Waste Committee Chair,  250-252-0144

Wanted Boots / Beef For Sale

1.  Hoping Someone has an excess pair of loose floppy boots in size 11 to 13 that I can get my often swollen/inflamed feet into.  Like a pair of the winter/skidoo boots of our youth with the nylon upper and drawstring to keep the snow out, rubber bottom, and felt lining that is easy to slip on.

2.  For Sale: Grass fed and finished beef, bought from the farm in Cowichan Bay. We are just sorting out the various cuts in the next couple of days. I know for sure we will have roasts and hamburger to sell as my freezer won't hold the entire 1/4 section, LOL. FCFS

Contact David, littleislander@protonmail.com. 

Check the Henry Farm website for pricing and use the individual cut price to see what it will cost you.

Soup’s On: Today, Wednesday, February 15th at Forbes Hall

11:30 am until 1:00 pm (earlier if we run out!)

Gather at Forbes Hall for a very Thetis Island lunch! 

Menu:  

• Split Pea and Ham Soup (dairy-free, gluten-free)
• Vegetarian version available (dairy-free, gluten-free)
• Cheese Biscuits
• Assorted Cookies and Treats
• Teas and coffee 

Suggested donation of $7 for soup, bread, treats, and teas & coffee. 

Everyone is welcome to join us, seniors, seniors who don’t think they’re seniors, workers, families, and everyone who just wants a mid-day meal! 

Menu remainders for take-out when available. 

The Soup’s On Team