About Southern Gulf Islands, BC

What an interesting place Salt Spring Island is!

So, we have our own flag.

We have our own money, designed by artists, backed by Canadian Dollars in the vault of the Credit Union, and legal tender at most retail options/restaurants, on the Island. (The bills are so beautiful, that I suspect some people just "keep them", as artistic renderings).

We have an airline that is called Salt Spring Air, and this floatplane service is owned/operated by an Islander.

We also now have our own radio station!

Our own newspaper, the Driftwood.

Mmmm....currency, flag, airline, communications...so, could we secede, and be the country of Salt Spring Island? Maybe be a tax free haven, such as Channel Islands offer?

Anything's possible!

We're heading into the holiday weekend (B.C. Day holiday on Monday, August 3rd), and this heat wave is supposed to continue.

Great for tourism, that's for sure! It's been hovering between 35 and 39 C for past four days, and doesn't cool off at night. It's not our usual marine air, but is blowing out from inland, so retains the heat. Port Alberni, in mid-Vancouver Island, came in as the hottest spot in Canada, on Tuesday, with a high of 40 C! Wow! Ocean swimming is the thing to do, to cool off.

Some things to do, on this lovely summer holiday weekend:

Catch the exhibits at Salt Spring Woodworks, at corner of Upper Ganges and Churchill Roads (just beyond Hastings House).

Enjoy the live music at the Treehouse, in Ganges Village (nightly, and always changing -- one of Salt Spring's treasures).

Catch Sid and Arvid's Comedy, Aug 1st, at 8 p.m., at ArtSpring (it's going to be simulcast, on inbternet!).

Mark your calendars for Diana Dean's show at ArtSpring's Bateman Gallery (Aug 7th, 8th, 9th, 10 to 5. ("The Mysterious in the Ordinary" is the title of this very talented painter's exhibition).

Pegasus Gallery, on the Boardwalk, is showcasing "Coastal Legacy -- NWC Native Master Works" from July 31st to Aug 14th. Catch this!

Piaf, Love Conquers All, plays ArtSpring, Aug 5th to 16th -- call box office (250-537-2102) for details).

Moby's, at Salt Spring Marina, has live music on Aug 2nd (Bossa Boyz, 7 to 10 p.m.

Catch the latest showcase on the stage area at ArtCraft, in Mahon Hall ("Re-Psyched", from July 31st to Aug 13th). Such talented artists grace our Island!

Salt Spring vineyards invites you to taste great local wine and food, and picnic at their pond (bring or buy on site).

Studio tours on this long weekend include: J. Mitchell Gallery in Grace Point Square, Stone Walrus Gallery, Pegasus Gallery of Canadian Art, B. Louise Woodward at 324 Scott point Drive, Martinus fine gems on Seaview Ave., just above ArtSpring, Madrona Gallery on Cottonwood Road, off Price Road, Stoneridge Pottery on Long Harbour Road, and, of course ArtCraft (showcasing 100 artists).

The Painters Guild annual show is on at ArtSpring, daily, through to Aug 6th.

Trio Hochelaga plays Sunday, Aug 2nd, at 8 p.m., at ArtSpring. Call ticket centre: 250-537-2102.

Boogie at Beaver Point Hall with Great White Shark, on Aug 2nd. From 9 p.m. To 3 a.m. (Tickets at the door).

It's Summer! Keep cool!

July 28, 2009.

Slowly, very slowly, we are "upticking" in price point, and the buyer who traditionally looks at Salt Spring Island & the Southern Gulf Islands is back pondering us as a second and third home choice. The primary residence areas (city marketplaces) saw an increase in high end action, by May/June, but in our discretionary market, where no one "has to" live here, and where a decision to purchase is always based on choice, we had viewings but few sales.

This has begun to change, and the uptick is occurring right when our traditional grid of action takes place -- mid-July, August, September, into early October. Last year, of course, nothing happened as we were totally into a "fear market".

This year, there are cautious steps back into activity, and it's recognized that the low interest rates, the sellers who will "listen" to an offer, and the concern over the validity of cash as an investment vehicle, may not last forever. This is being talked about as an excellent time to buy, and it appears that a lot of potential buyers are listening and are agreeing.

The listing inventory remains very "thin", which means that we may start to see multiple offer situations develop on Salt Spring and the other Southern Gulf Islands, as people begin to think about acting, and owners who don't have to sell still want to retain their island properties...only one listing, and several buyers for same, does mean a return to a seller's market.

More thoughts? Call anytime!

Looking for Island real estate? How may I help you to discover your dream property?

liread33@gmail.com

The heat wave is back, and it's definitely "summer on the islands"!

Catch the Saturday Market in the Park today, and enjoy the "medieval faire" ambiance.

Watch the floatplanes come and go, and enjoy the vista of the village from a different viewpoint.

Meander along the Boardwalk, savour a latte from one of the coffee cafes, admire the yachts at the marinas...pop into the galleries and be inspired by the artistic visions of the hugely talented artist base on the island!

Feeling energetic? Rent a kayak and paddle out for a picnic on Chocolate Island. Or, rent a scooter, and "do the island" backroads. Walk the beach at Fernwood Dock, picnic at Ruckle Park or at Mt. Maxwell's lookout.

Warm ocean swimming at Vesuvius Beach, later...

So many lovely and "laid back" things to do on this treasure of an island....

And your suggestions are? Always welcome!

Ask for "Li's List" for "things to do/places to see".

It's "really" summer, at last! Hot, hot, hot...perfect time to swim in the ocean. Don't forget that Salt Spring's "west side" is the home of the warm swimming waters. The beach at Vesuvius beckons, as does the beach access road at end of Arbutus Road, at Southey Point, as does the Cranberry Creek outlet/Bader's Beach, at end of Collins Road. Tide goes out, great beachcombing, and warm water when it rolls in. Look for the trail marker, too, just before West Eagle Road, when heading up Sunset Drive from Vesuvius Bay Road -- another great beach there! The Fernwood Dock area, off North Beach Road, is another great place to check out for ocean swimming/beachcombing pleasures. At the bottom of Grantville Road, off Walker's Hook Road, in the bay created by "the Hook", it's also warm and enjoyable swimming.

Lake swimming is your choice? Cusheon Lake's beach access, off Cusheon Lake Road, the "unofficial" access, onto St. Mary Lake, just before Lakeside Gardens resort, the same "unofficial" road access of Beaver Point Road, onto Weston Lake, and Stowell Lake's designated access, with swimming dock.

The indoor pool, on Rainbow Road, opens up those doors, and lets the sunshine in...also very enjoyable!

Lots of alfresco dining choices, too -- early morning breakfast at the Harbour House Hotel patio, lunch or dinner at Calvin's Bistro's patio -- both these offer great Harbour views. Continue round to Bocados Bistro, and to Auntie Pesto's, in Grace Point Square (lunch and dinner options), plus Seaside Kitchen at Vesuvius and Rock Salt Cafe at Fulford. Mexican at the Boardwalk, and Oystercatcher's deck or their Shipstones patio. Treehouse cafe (live music, at dinner). Moby's at Salt Spring Marina is another al fresco option.

Cafe Talia on Hereford, TJ Beans at corner of McPhillips and Lower Ganges (main road), Rendezvous Cafe at Salt Spring Marina, and Barb's Buns in Creekside, off McPhillips Ave., all enjoy alfresco coffees/teas/light meals/desserts.

Sunny, (remember your hat!), and perfect picnic weather (Ruckle Park, Drummond Park are suggestions) -- check out the deli counter at Bruce's Kitchen in Harbour Centre, and also the Thrifty's Deli or the Country Grocer Deli, and wander off on your own. There's even the thought of kayaking out to Chocolate Beach, for that picnic, and a swim.

Enjoy! It's summer on Salt Spring!