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Summer Outdoor Concert Series lineup released

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Summer Outdoor Concert Series lineup released

INFO SUBMITTED BY SS ARTS

With the return of the Summer Outdoor Concert Series (SOCS), community members and island visitors will gather in Centennial Park every Thursday at 6 p.m. from July 18 to Aug. 22 to enjoy exceptional live music for free.

Salt Spring Arts, which organizes the series with support from marquee presenters Salt Spring Country Grocer and Island Savings, a division of First West Credit Union, and other groups, promises a vibrant lineup of performers, featuring acts local to the Southern Gulf Islands and quality touring musicians.

The series launches on July 18, headlined by renowned Australian-based singer-songwriter Steph Strings, bringing her compelling, percussive fingerstyle guitar to the island. New local act The Selkies of Salt Spring Island, an enchanting vocal harmony trio, will perform an opening set to warm up the stage.

The following week, July 25, will see the Jocelyn Pettit Trio’s “New-Trad Celtic” music fronted by vibrant fiddle player, singer and stepdancer Jocelyn Pettit. The five-time Canadian Folk Music Award nominee will be joined by Erik Musseau and Adam Dobres. Emerging young Pender Island singer-songwriter Sóley Ella May will open the evening with her unique voice and compelling songs.

Juno-nominated, hard-hitting Latin band Mazacote headlines SOCS’ third concert on Aug. 1, bringing energy deeply in the music of Colombia, Mozambique and Venezuela. Their Afro-Caribbean percussion and tropical party sounds will make you move. An opening set will be performed by Pender Island folk duo Peach & Quiet with songs inspired by 1970s Laurel Canyon.

On Aug. 8, acclaimed duo Blue Moon Marquee will showcase their genre-bending original music influenced by anything that swings, jumps or grooves. Opening act Chico Eh, created by local talents Billie Woods and ‘eljose,’ will share their eclectic music featuring lyrics in Spanish, Portuguese and English.

Aug.15 sees a co-headlining lineup of two Salt Spring local bands: Daryl Chonka and Caraluna, and the series ends on Aug. 22 headlined by vibrant collective Kárà-Kátà Afrobeat Band and local Indigenous fiddle player Wesley Hardisty opening the evening with his original compositions.

More information about the series is at saltspringarts.com/socs.

Portlock tennis courts repaired

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Portlock tennis courts repaired

SUBMITTED BY SALT SPRING TENNIS ASSOCIATION

Twelve Salt Spring Tennis Association (SSTA) volunteers spent three hot days last weekend repairing and restoring courts 2 and 3 at Portlock Park for safe summer play.  

Parks, Arts, Recreation and Culture (PARC) supplied materials sourced by the SSTA, and the volunteers got down to hours of grinding and clearing out the deep, weed-choked cracks. A case of bottled water donated by Country Grocer was greatly appreciated by the thirsty workers.  

After debris clear-up, cleaner and an adhering compound were applied before towelling filler into the excavations and sanding  them smooth. The repaired areas were then painted with a layer of white sealant to protect them until the final colour compound PARC ordered arrives. When it does, there will be another short court closure while the volunteers return to finish the job. These dedicated people have gladly given up time, expertise and their knees to improve our park facilities, and we thank them.

Anti-racism workshop empowers students

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Anti-racism workshop empowers students

By JAQUELINE WIGHTMAN and INARA WALLACE

For STUDENTS FOR RACIAL EQUITY

The Active Witnessing presentation and workshop concluded a gratifying year for the anti-racism group, Students for Racial Equity (SFRE), at Gulf Islands Secondary School (GISS).

Angela Ma Brown returned for a third year to educate students on micro-aggressions and how to “pause hurt.” The past positive student response to her workshops prompted the Students for Racial Equity to bring her back for a full day of workshops to strengthen equity and inclusivity throughout the school. 

After attending the workshop, students reflected through a survey that they felt more empowered to act and “stand up for what is right,” as articulated by one Grade 10 student. Participants learned ways to react to racism and other forms of discrimination using the Active Witnessing Triangle, consisting of the victim, offender, co-witnesses and external support members. One Grade 11 student reflected, “I will rely more on basic [phrases] such as ‘What did you mean by that?’ to pause the hurt.”   

Another Grade 11 student shared, “I hope to have more courage to speak up in the moment, as well as focus on calming the situation down.” 

The day also included a presentation to the Grade 7 classes at Salt Spring Elementary, introducing them to Active Witnessing to stop discrimination by speaking up and asking for help.

It is incredibly uplifting to look back and see that the SFRE group really did encourage learning, upstanding and inclusion at GISS this year. In addition to the Active Witnessing workshop, the group hosted a musical three-day event during Black History Month with the Marcus Mosely Trio, which touched hundreds of students and community members. The trio then donated funds, which allowed us to bring Angela Ma Brown back to the school.

Also, during Black History Month, the SFRE group hosted a school-wide, live, online presentation called “P is for Privilege” which every class watched synchronously. This year, more than ever, GISS students showed up for the marginalized communities in many ways: volunteering for bake sales, appreciating and sharing culture through posters, speaking for the IBPOC veterans of the past, and standing with our Indigenous companions during Red Dress Day and Orange Shirt Day.  

Many SFRE group members are 2024 graduates, and we hope the SFRE can continue in the following years. We hope that we have caught the attention of the next brave students to advocate for racial equity at GISS in the future.  

Islanders, delegations challenge Trust commitment to environmental mandate

Gail Sjuberg
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Islanders, delegations challenge Trust commitment to environmental mandate

About 50 people from Salt Spring, Galiano, Pender and Gabriola islands gathered at the Harbour House Hotel on Tuesday to press Islands Trust Council (ITC) to recommit to the original “preserve and protect” environmental mandate of the Islands Trust.

ITC is meeting at the Salt Spring Island hotel for its quarterly meeting from June 18 to 20.

According to a media release issued by three groups — the Trust-wide Friends of the Gulf Islands, plus Keep Salt Spring Sustainable and Positively Forward from Salt Spring Island — the demonstrators want ITC members to protect the Islands Trust area from the threat of over-development and are urging the Trust to uphold its mandate: “to preserve and protect the Trust Area and its unique amenities and environment” for all British Columbians.

Protestors stated that they are alarmed by a Trust Council “determination” that “unique amenities” to be protected in the Trust Area may now include “housing, tourism and infrastructure,” as stated following an in-camera council meeting held Sept. 26, 2023, “none of which is unique.”

“Also, trustees have stated that the ‘environment’ extends to humans,” the release continues. “This redefinition of the mandate is reflected in a new draft of the Trust Policy Statement, the umbrella document governing land use on all the islands. The new draft fails to specify that the environment means the natural environment and to set meaningful guardrails around development.”

Rally attendee’s sign refers to Islands Trust Council’s in-camera meeting held Sept. 26, 2023, where trustees received legal information related to the meaning of Section 3 of the Islands Trust Act (the “object”) and subsequently issued statements that their interpretation of “unique amenities” to be protected had changed as a result.

Ron Hawkins is a Salt Spring resident who attended the June 18 protest.

He said he was there because the current group of elected trustees from the 13 major islands “are not listening and seem to have their minds made up in the direction of more and more development.”

He said he believes that affordable housing needs to be planned and properly delivered.

“And it’s the role of the government to make that, not to proliferate views about more and more development,” he said.

Pender Island resident Julia Nicholls was also at the event. She said private land is being clearcut on Pender with the resulting loss of habitat, “and the Trust is not doing very much about it.”

She said despite the Islands Trust having a 50-year history of preserving and protecting the Trust Area, “there’s been a huge loss of biodiversity” in that time.

“And we want to bring light to the fact that [trustees] are using language that is making it sort of more fluffy and harder to enforce things.”

Among delegations formally presenting to council in the afternoon were Galiano Island resident Jennifer Margison for Friends of the Gulf Islands, and Ron Wright representing Keep Salt Spring Sustainable (KSSS).

Margison was critical of wording in the recently released draft Trust Policy Statement, which all islands’ official community plans and bylaws must be in sync with.

“Wording is critical and ambiguity is a death knell,” she said. “This document is rife with slippery words such as “considered,” “should,” “strive to ensure,” . . . such words make the policies mere suggestions and could pit trustees and their communities against one another in futile attempts to find current, coherent direction.”

Wright said he and other members of KSSS are “alarmed as others have been here this afternoon by the content and the process of draft changes to the Trust Policy Statement. He said the writers of the Islands Trust Act “chose their words carefully” in using the term “unique . . . The act means exactly what it says: ‘unique amenities’ are things found nowhere else.”

He also questioned why a 1986 position paper issued by the Trust and provincial government’s municipal affairs ministry was not referred to when Trust Council announced that its interpretation of the “unique amenities” referred to in the Trust object was being broadened to include elements beyond the natural environment.

“How very odd that the so-called ‘all previous legal opinions’ that you claim to have examined do not include this most thorough and important legal precedent done in 1986 after wide public discussions, not in a secret back room in one day,” he said, referring to the Sept. 26, 2023 in-camera meeting where the Trust object was discussed by council.

He said the Trust was being undermined and “gutted from within” by some elected trustees, who did not support the Trust mandate.

“It’s a slow-motion coup to overthrow the very purpose of the Islands Trust,” he concluded.

Comments on delegations are scheduled for late Thursday morning in the Trust Council meeting agenda.

Signs and salmon at the June 18 rally outside the Islands Trust Council’s quarterly meeting spot at the Harbour House Hotel on Salt Spring.

Satirical opera shines light on Purcell

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Satirical opera shines light on Purcell

SUBMITTED BY SALT SPRING BAROQUE

Finding true love has always been difficult, whether in 2024, or 1694! 

The Salt Spring Baroque concert titled Henry Purcell (mostly) in Love features Montreal harpsichordist Christophe Gauthier, Vancouver tenor Shane Hanson and Vancouver countertenor Nicholas Burns in a new comedic drama based on the music of Henry Purcell (1659-1695).

It takes place on Saturday, June 22 at All Saints by-the-Sea at 7 p.m.

Purcell is one of the most important British composers, and was the creator of beautifully moving operas, semi-operas and musical dramas. He is well-known for his output of songs composed as incidental music for the theatre with solemn overtures, cheerful or pathetic airs, and delightful dances of every imaginable kind. Most of Purcell’s theatre music was written between 1690 and 1695 (the year of his death), and within that relatively brief period he supplied music for more than 40 plays.

Henry Purcell (mostly) in Love takes advantage of the dramatic, and often-irreverent nature of Purcell’s vocal music. Arranged into a new 21st-century love story, this show follows two young men through the trials and tribulations of attempting to court a woman.

The program capitalizes on the dramatic nature of song in Purcell’s era, but in an updated, contemporary context, providing a modern way for Purcell’s songs to be “re-admired.” Both well-known and lesser-known works (like one of Purcell’s humorous rounds) will be featured, as well as repertoire that was never intended for a countertenor to sing, such as Dido’s Lament.

Tickets are available at saltspringbaroque.com or through the ArtSpring box office.

Enforcement reprieve granted for ‘illegal’dwellings

Robb Magley
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Enforcement reprieve granted for ‘illegal’dwellings

Salt Spring officials have further reduced the island’s bylaw enforcement footprint, with local trustees setting the trigger for staff action on non-permitted dwellings at the literal dumping of septic waste on the land. 

The latest move by the Salt Spring Island Local Trust Committee (LTC) directed staff to close bylaw enforcement files currently open for those properties “where there is no evidence of disposal of waste on land.” 

Islands Trust compliance and enforcement manager Warren Dingman had presented a recommendation the land use authority step back from enforcement on those homes during the LTC’s regular meeting Thursday, June 6, alongside an overview of the current number of open enforcement files on all bylaw matters, which before the meeting numbered 236.  

With the new resolution, that number will likely fall to under 200; Dingman estimated 40 of the 45 relevant enforcement files would be closed. 

The resolution would not mean amnesty for those believed to have committed other offences to the land use bylaw, Dingman noted, such as having built without approval in an environmentally sensitive area; nor, he said, would it mean property owners were exempt from the regulations of other agencies, like Island Health or the Capital Regional District.  

But for residences currently subject to enforcement from the Islands Trust strictly because of being non-permitted under the land use bylaw, those owners — and, possibly, their tenants — could be made immediately aware they were no longer being monitored by Trust bylaw staff.  

“People are having to resort to illegal forms of housing, because that’s all there is on this island,” said trustee Laura Patrick, who said she believed the number of Salt Spring workers living in unpermitted or otherwise illegal rentals probably numbered in the “thousands.” 

“And we know if we were to get rid of [that housing], the grocery stores would close, the hospital would be closed, schools would be closed,” said Patrick. “This isn’t a minor issue.” 

Trustee Jamie Harris agreed — “At this point, you hate to enforce against anyone,” he said — but expressed concerns on septic discharge, joining Patrick in rejecting an early suggestion the LTC could simply close all enforcement files. Dingman said staff’s biggest concerns were not with properties where people had effected non-standard waste management systems, but rather those with no management of human waste at all. 

“There’s a big difference between having an outhouse, or a compost system, or ‘here’s this system I engineered and built myself to dispose of my waste,’” said Dingman, “and when we see people who just run some pipes. They’re literally dumping their waste — grey and black — out onto the land on some part of their property.” 

Dingman said bylaw staff had seen properties dumping septic waste into low-lying areas, or purpose-built open pits — or “just letting it flow downhill somewhere,” he said. 

“The LTC has been clear that housing is the priority,” said Dingman. “The offence in the local land use bylaw is ‘the disposal of waste on land.’ So if there’s no disposal of waste on land — If someone’s getting it pumped out, they have receipts — that’s adequate.” 

Trustees were unanimous in the motion to close all but those “most egregious” files; LTC chair Tim Peterson suggested staff bring additional reporting back to the committee on specifics for the remaining properties, to see if enforcement “needed to go further, or be more permissive” at that point. 

With the closure of non-permitted dwelling files, the largest remaining number of open files in a single category relate to short-term vacation rentals (STVRs) — 77, according to the report — followed by 37 surrounding a lack of development permits for work underway in designated development permit areas. While fewer, according to Dingman, other significant concerns include non-permitted land uses such as the operation of campgrounds and storage of derelict vehicles or travel trailers. 

Salt Spring’s LTC voted to cease proactive enforcement against STVRs two months ago, citing both “confusing” bylaw regulations surrounding them and limited staff resources.

Pitchfork Social concert series set to thrill

Gail Sjuberg
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Pitchfork Social concert series set to thrill

Pitchfork Social — the unique Salt Spring music series of world-class roots and Americana performers — is about to open its first full season at The Jam Factory venue, and Pitchfork founder David Youngson couldn’t be more grateful.

Youngson is a devoted fan of Americana music — encompassing roots-rock, blues, country, bluegrass and folk genres — who brings together all the elements needed for an intimate concert and social experience on a non-profit basis.

“If somebody was doing this to make a profit or make a living at it, that couldn’t happen. It’s not at all possible,” he told the Driftwood. “Especially because of the kind of acts that we bring to the island. Quite honestly, they are often playing 2,000- and 3,000-seat places.”

“Everything we do is for the sake of the song,” he said.

The Jam Factory site, behind the popular food-business building at 319 Upper Ganges Rd., can seat 350 people. Last summer saw concerts by Frazey Ford, Ruth Moody and Tony Furtado held there, and changes have been made for this first full season. They include a bigger, higher stage with a different orientation, new stage and mood lighting, and an upgraded sound system through Greg Pauker.

Pitchfork Social was born in a transformed garage on Youngson’s property as Southend Grooveyard in 2012, then moved to Bullock Lake Farm and community halls, endured a Covid break and then found the Jam Factory location.

Solid support from community partners makes Pitchfork Social possible, Youngson said. That includes about 20 volunteers; the Harbour House Hotel, which provides a break on accommodation costs for musicians; venue owner Stephen Mulherin; sound man extraordinaire Pauker; area property owners that allow parking on concert nights; and the events’ food and drink providers. In addition to Woodshed Provisions offering pre-show dinners on seven nights, South End Sausage will be the main food provider one night, and Hen and Hound on another. South End Sausage charcuterie boards will also be available before all concerts, said Youngson, and Salt Spring Kitchen Co. will also participate.

Salt Spring’s “music- and arts-loving population” is also a crucial part of the Pitchfork formula, he said. The series wouldn’t be viable if all the shows didn’t sell out, “so I’m super grateful to the audience for filling those seats.”

Two mid-July shows by Canadian alt-country/rock legends Cowboy Junkies sold out soon after tickets were released earlier this spring. Quick action is also likely required to get some of the last few tickets for the series-opener on June 29 with Harry Manx and special guests Genevive Jodoin on keyboards, and Mark Ferris on violin.

Youngson stressed what a treasure Manx is as a Salt Spring resident and world-renowned musician and collaborator.

“People don’t realize who he is out there in the world. Some do, of course, but many certainly don’t, unless you’re a real fan.”

The rest of the season looks like this:

• July 10: Dylan LeBlanc with the Yaletown Strings — another exciting collaboration, said Youngson;

• July 17-18: Cowboy Junkies (sold out);

• July 22: Chris Smither, with BettySoo;

• Aug. 15: Eilen Jewell Band;

• Aug. 22: Willie Watson Trio;

• Aug. 26: Mike Farris & the Fortunate Few;

• Sept. 1: Kelly Hunt Trio.

Youngson said some performers are more well-known than others, but he has heard them all, and often multiple times, and knows audiences will be as thrilled as he is to have them on the island. The fact that some 30 to 40 per cent of concert patrons are from off-island hints at the drawing power of Pitchfork acts.

Youngson also expressed huge gratitude to the musicians themselves, who are willing to take the extra time required to get to and from the island, which can be a risky thing to do if ferries don’t co-operate and they end up arriving or leaving late and jeopardizing their next gig as a result.

Dinner sales for all Pitchfork shows begin at 6 p.m., with music at 7:30 p.m.

More information about the acts and tickets are available through pitchforksocial.com.

CRICKMORE, Mary

Driftwood Obituary
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CRICKMORE, Mary

 Our wonderful Mum, Mary Crickmore, passed away after a very brief illness at Lady Minto Hospital on Salt Spring Island at the age of 95. Predeceased by her beloved husband, Eric, and cherished sister, Nancy, Mary is lovingly remembered by her daughters, Elspeth and Jane (Ron), son, Gavin, step-granddaughter, Lauren, sisters Olive (Germany), Beryl (England), and Jean and her husband, John (Ontario), along with many adored nieces and nephews. Mary leaves behind many dear friends and a number for whom she will always be remembered as “Aunty Mary.”

Mary was born in Kinross, Scotland, to Agnes and Oswald Clark and was the oldest of five daughters. She spent her childhood in Innerleithen and Haddington, and at the young age of 16, Mary relocated to Edinburgh. Married in 1955 to the love of her life, Eric, they moved to West Vancouver in 1957. Mary and Eric made many lifelong friends with whom they shared many joyous times together over the years—their house was always full of laughter and merriment. Their garden was always filled with flowering baskets and planters, reflecting Mary’s love of propagating and growing geraniums and pelargoniums.

Mary worked for the West Vancouver School District and found great passion in working with children who needed learning assistance. Upon retirement, Mary and Eric moved to Salt Spring Island, where they again developed wonderful friendships. They taught us that deep and meaningful friendships can be established at any stage of life. They loved their time together on Salt Spring, and Mary spent a further 27 years there, after the passing of Eric, watching many a sunrise across the water from her breakfast nook.

Mary was an expert seamstress, avid gardener, keen bridge player, happy camper and hiker, a merry Scottish country dancer, and a gifted and enthusiastic cook—no dinner party was complete without two grand desserts. Above all, Mary was a most loving wife, mother, and friend. She will be dearly missed for her joyful spirit, her hardy Scot fortitude, and the wonderful sparkle in her eye.

Our grateful thanks to the physicians and staff at Lady Minto Hospital for their kind and supportive care to our Mum over the years and in her last few days.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

THOMAS, David Harold

Driftwood Obituary
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THOMAS, David Harold

 David Harold Thomas was born on March 10th, 1933, and passed away on May 12th, 2024. He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Kathy, as well as many good friends, cousins, and extended family members. Dave enjoyed working with his hands, building and repairing boats, racing six meters, chartering, cruising, fishing, scuba diving, and living aboard. He then turned to farming; raising sheep, chickens, calves, as well as a baby raccoon, a goat, a foal, and many dogs and cats. He had a large vegetable garden and planted over a hundred rhododendrons and azaleas, which were at their most beautiful when he died. Next came a pilot’s license and exploring by air, Alaska and B.C.’s West Coast. Dave loved his farm and all the young people who passed through, learning to ride or going for joy rides in his plane. He was a true Salt Springer; his kindness and generosity touched many hearts. Thank you to the manager and staff of the Lady Minto ECU. There will be a celebration of life in the fall.

OUDENAARDEN, Robbert J

Driftwood Obituary
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OUDENAARDEN, Robbert J

 On May 4th, 2024, Robbert J. Oudenaarden died at home on Salt Spring Island, BC, at the age of 92, just short of his 93rd birthday.

Robbert is survived by his wife, Jane Oudenaarden-Lynch, and his daughter, Elisabet (Sandra) Ungerson-Oudenaarden.

Robbert was born on June 27th, 1931, in Surabaya, Indonesia. He visited the Netherlands for the first time in 1938 and did not return until the mid-1950s, when he caught up on schooling that he missed because he was interned during the war. He went on to study Tropical Agriculture at Wageningen University. Then he made the big decision to start the next chapter of his life in Canada.

Starting with Sweeny Cooperage, he built a life and a family. Following his strong entrepreneurial drive, he then opened his own barrel furniture manufacturing operation, prior to starting the Best Canadian Bed & Breakfast Network decades before Airbnb was on anyone’s mind.

Retiring to Salt Spring Island began a new chapter of volunteering. Agencies he contributed his time and talent to include the Chamber of Commerce, Tourist Information Centre, and Food program at Sendial for Thrifty Foods. He was also a regular at the Dutch Clutch meetings. He loved people, good food, and sharing his gifts and talents with those he had the opportunity to meet.

A celebration of life event will take place at Fulford Hall, on June 27th, 2024, between 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., at 2591 Fulford-Ganges Road, Salt Spring Island. We invite anyone who has been touched by his life or interests to join us in celebrating the life and warmth he shared with so many of us while he was here.

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