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Park at Brickyard Beach, walk False Narrows foreshore.

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.

Doors open for coffee/tea at 10:30 AM.
Music by Dreamyth at 11:00
Soup social from 11:30 to 1 pm.
Need a ride?  Call Lorna at 250.247.7695

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. .

Another great Sheila Norgate presentation.

Open every Saturday from 11 - 4 or thereabouts!

EGGS too! And so much more.

Dating will now be simpler thanks to Robert’s Place dinner and movie nights. Enjoy an authentic theme meal with a complimentary movie to follow at The Roxy. Dinner starts at 5 and the movie at 7:30. If you show up for the movie sans eating at the restaurant make a donation to one of your favourite Gabriolan organizations.

Upcoming themes: Feb 25: Greek; March 10: Mexican, March 24: North African, April 14: Cajun, April 28: Thai.

This week we have Nanaimo entertainment - Jesse Marshall and Torsten Gran-Ruaz - a very talented Jazz duo who made a really serious impression a couple of weeks ago. They have been re-booked for multiple occasions based on the popularity of that first show... known for their unique style not like any other, they bring their jazz to Raspberry’s Saturday the 25th playing from 1 - 3 pm.

View revised drawings for the proposed new fire hall.

We will be hosting a Beer & Burger Night at the SKOL pub, Great Raffle prizes, 50/50 draw, balloon pop and silent auction. Pick up your tickets at Artworks.

Gabriolans for Local Food Choices invites all Growers & Food Artisans to participate
To reserve a free table contact Eric Veale 247-9567 or Tsiporah 247-8350
• seed-saving table • food info tables • local growers • herbs

Bottles can be dropped off at the Hope Centre.

50s, 60s, 70s, 80s.

All we at the Chamber can say is Do NOT miss this great concert!

Jazzy Sundays! World Class Jazz with Steve Smith & Friends.

TBA

A must see event this coming Sunday. Yes it is a walk through and a fundraiser. 

Many artists are donating paintings. By choosing a painting and writing a cheque, we can up the thermometer of the final $221,446 dollars. Ted Wilson will be donating the A, B, C’s of his Art. At 93 years of age Ted Willison is well known on the island. Ted will not sell his paintings, but he does donate them to a non-profit of his choice. The last time Ted put his unframed, amazing art on the A,B,C tables he raised $5,000+ dollars to be split between the Commons and PHC. This time he is choosing the Gabriola Community Medical Clinic and the Mortgage of the Commons. Oh yes, the C’s are $20, the B’s are $50 and the A’s are $80 - you have to tuck them under your arm quickly. 

Judith Madsen is also housecleaning her studio and putting in 10 + framed paintings. 

if anyone is interested in donating a piece! Please let Judith Madsen know.
247-9045 - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The artist puts on the regular price and the cheque is to the artist - you get the tax receipt - then you write a cheque for the same amount to the GCMC. Only Ted will be splitting to the Commons mortgage. Paintings not chosen go back to the artist. Their will be a bookeeper and a thermometer recorder as it moves up during the afternoon. 

Paintings will be along the floor and on easels, in the Emergency Care area room. If anyone has easels - please bring also.  Thank you....

Two of the most diverse and interesting performers will be performing this month on our little rock, in our little living room! Corwin Fox and Raghu Lokanathan have performed here together to a fabulous turnout...we’re hoping to top the last audience. Corwin has been working with Raghu on and off for the last few years, playing fun shows and house concerts around Vancouver Island.

Raghu Lokanathan has been writing fabulous and memorable songs for the last 8 years. His first album, Caledonia, was touted as the best thing since sliced bread by more fabulous names in the music business than we can name here. His second album, Petal Press, was a continuation of Raghu’s brilliant penmanship. Blue Girl, Raghu’s third album to date, far surpasses his first two albums in both complexity and lyrical genius. If there is a wordsmith among you, you will LOVE Raghu Lokanathan. He’s the real deal. And humble.  http://www.raghumusic.com/

Corwin Fox’s songs are insidiously catchy and hummable. He captures both the daily grind and the daily delights with song and words that can make you remember him! I’m not sure if that’s even possible to not feel caught by Corwin!  He has written for theatre, CBC documentaries, and his multiple albums, all of which far surpass the description of ‘excellent’. Corwin has been a producer for many excellent musicians with his own record label and production company called Coqi Records. http://radio3.cbc.ca/#/artists/Corwin-Fox

All Degnen House Concerts are:
Reserved Advance seating call 250-247-9432 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
$10 tix at the door
8pm, 7:30pm
tea and treats by donation
$2 cd raffle
BYOB

Come to a meeting where you can share your problems and prevent burnout. Call for info.

This award-winning documentary follows three meat- and cheese-loving New Yorkers as they participate in a six-week vegan challenge. Vegucated mixes humour and fact with a bit of stark reality. It won Best Documentary Feature at the 2011 Toronto Independent Film Festival. To preview, Google “vegucated.” Free admission – suggested donation $5.

Matinee performance on Monday the 5th of March at 2pm as well as an evening performance on Tuesday the 6th at 7pm.

Tickets will be available at Artworks later in the month at a cost of $15.
A selection of treasures from my grab bag, gleaned from over 80 years of performing. It includes poetry and prose both contemporary and classical with the odd erotic limerick and song thrown in for good measure.

Warning may not be suitable for anyone under 60.

*Please be aware that some of poetry will be comprehensible and will include rhyme and rhythm. Under 60’s may be admitted if accompanied by an adult.

Participation Opportunities

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

Commons Coordinating Council: 1st Tuesday Every Month @ 7 pm (upstairs).

Commons Council is the first Tuesday of every month.

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 7:00vpm upstairs. Everyone is welcome.

Do you have a Trade or Service that you’d like to promote?  Join us at the Commons for this very popular event. Table rental is $10 for shared or $20 for a whole table and one can of food for our neighbours at PHC. Participants will also offer one hour of time or product for a Silent Auction Fundraiser for the Commons. Wifi is available. Act quickly, as space is limited! Contact Steph Marrie at 247-7174 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This event is co-sponsored by the Gabriola Chamber of Commerce and the Gabriola Commons.

Hosted by Jean Crowder, MP, and Doug Routley, MLA

Over the past decade, one of the most notable changes in our riding has been the growing number of seniors. We have a higher-than-average number of people over 65 compared to both the rest of British Columbia and Canada.

And like the rest of Canada, as the baby boomers reach age 65, the population of seniors will grow rapidly, starting this year and doubling by 2036.

What does that mean for our area? How can we prepare now for an aging population and the opportunities and challenges that will bring?

These questions will provide the framework for a series of Seniors Roundtables throughout the riding.
The idea is to bring together health professionals, community care providers, local advocates, decision-makers, family caregivers and seniors to discuss issues and priorities for seniors today. The objective is to collect input for the development of national and provincial policies, including a National Strategy on Aging, which is being put together by Jean’s colleague Irene Mathyssen.

These events are non-partisan and people of all political persuasions who have an interest in seniors’ issues are encouraged to attend.

Issues to be discussed may include seniors healthcare, affordable and appropriate housing, pension security, seniors poverty, elder abuse and other priorities as identified.

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

Advance poll on March 14

Book Launch

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.

Clinic Grand Opening Ceremonies – The August long weekend. Exact date TBA

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 Gabriola Elementary School and 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.