Photo: bmann on Flickr

Salt Spring Island’s very own Bruce Wood, Chef/owner of Bruce’s Kitchen writes to the editor of the Globe and Mail about cooking from scratch vs. highly produced foods common in many of our diets.

“I disagree that these sorts of dishes are causing the obesity epidemic. As a chef and cooking instructor, I teach balance, sustainability and, most important, cooking from scratch in addition to knowing the integrity of your ingredients.” Read the full story at the Globe and Mail.

Set an Salt Spring Island, the exterior metal skin of this single room cabin will be allowed to weather naturally. Inside, wood-finished surfaces create a cozy refuge. Outside a stunning outdoor shower. A large, weathered steel panel slides across a window wall, securing the space when the owner is away. The cabin is the work of Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen Architects with Photos by Tim Bies and is featured in the November edition of Dwell Magazine.

A critical mass bike ride and community rally was held on Salt Spring Island, BC with the theme “Ganges Underwater.” People are dressed up in snorkels, wetsuits and flippers to represent the result of climate change and rising sea waters on our island’s main village. A new water line was mapped out and marked with signs showing which local businesses and landmarks would be submerged if waters rose 5 meters.

Gathering at the high school gymnasium, we heard music from local artists, including a sing-along to a specially composed song “Be the Change” by Phil Vernon. The Raging Grannies graced us with their might, and high school student Geoff McFarlane shared a song titled “Let my World Revolve.” Child entertainer Raffi sang a world premier of “Sustainability”—a song from his forthcoming album “Communion.” We also introduced the idea of a Transition Initiative to make our community more self-reliant and carbon-neutral. Our message to our government is “Don’t let us sink at Copenhagen!”

Photo: Charles Buchwald buchwald.ca

October 24th is the International Day of Action on Climate Change, and a rally will be held here on Salt Spring. Come and be a part of the biggest worldwide environmental demonstration ever! Let’s send a message to our global leaders at the Copenhagen United Nations Climate Treaty talks in December: We must ALL act NOW, because our collective future depends on it!

Submitted by Shoshana Ray

What: Climate Action Rally – “Ganges Underwater” theme (a possible scenario of climate change isn’t dealt with) so wear your snorkel and wetsuit for the picture! Group sing-along with Phil Vernon and Barb Slater, and a short presentation about the Salt Spring Transition Initiative.

Where: Gulf Island Secondary School Gymnasium

When: October 24 at 3pm

Why: To send a message to our political leaders that we must commit to bringing our CO2 emissions below 350 parts per million in order to prevent runaway climate change.

How: Join the critical mass bike ride – details below. Carpool – fill your car with friends and family. Take the bus! Walk, run, or rollerblade.

Critical Mass departures:

1:15 Fulford Inn
2:00 Cusheon Lake Rd
1:45 Vesuvius Cafe
2:00 Fritz
2:20 Dagwoods
2:30 Ganges at Rainbow Rd
Cycle through town, ride to GISS by 2:50

Decorate your bike – underwater theme! Prizes for best costume!

For info and to pre-register: ssicriticalmass (at) gmail.com.

For more information about the Day of Action visit 350.org, and for more info about the Salt Spring Rally, contact Marion Pape at 537-4567/marionpape (at) telus.net or Shoshanah Ray at 537-8598/shoshanahray (at) gmail.com

It was a beautiful day to tour the island viewing some of Salt Spring’s eco-homes. The Eco-Living and Home Tour was incredibly well organized and managed, while caring home owners generously opened their doors to share and inspire. There were 8 homes on this years tour, and while we weren’t able to make it to all the venues, we did manage to capture some video of the homes and properties we were able to visit. Enjoy!

2009 Salt Spring Eco-Living and Home Tour,

Sunday Aug 16th, 10 am to 4 pm

Back by popular demand, Salt Spring’s famous Eco-Tour returns August 16. The tour includes some of Salt Spring’s best examples of green building, energy efficiency, water conservation, food production, renewable energy, transportation alternatives, and ecological protection. Visit exciting new projects, and old favourites that just keep getting better. Come out and see what your neighbours are doing, share information, and get new ideas for your project.

Tickets are on sale now.
Early bird price $20 until August 7. Full price $25.

Tickets available at:
Salt Spring Books 250-537-2812
Gecko Green Living (end of Country Grocer mall)
Windsor Plywood

Sponsored by the Earth Festival Society, Salt Spring Island Conservancy, and I-SEA.