Pender Island, BC

As a proud member of the Dockside Realty team here on Pender Island, it is my pleasure to introduce you to the newest member of our extended family: Bev Gerry of Island Explorer Property Management.

Are you looking for a short or long term rental on Pender Island or elsewhere in the Southern Gulf Islands?

Island Explorer Property Management (IEPM) is a fully licenced and bonded property management company serving the Southern Gulf Islands of British Columbia, Canada.

IEPM offers a large inventory of short to long-term rentals on SaltSpring, North and South Pender, Galiano, Mayne, Thetis and Lasqueti. Depending on the property, your stay can be as short as two days, or as long as one year.

Properties range from rustic cottages in the woods offering privacy with peaceful, natural surroundings, to luxury executive homes providing all the conveniences; hot tubs, views or waterfront locations. Family homes, historic farmhouses and secluded acreages are just some of what IEPM has to offer. Artists, writers or parents with youngsters will all find the perfect vacation spots -- ask about their wheelchair accessible homes!

Bev Gerry has an excellent record of professional service and proven results. Whether you have an island home you wish to rent, or are looking for the perfect place to stay on Pender or elsewhere in the Southern Gulf Islands, email or call Bev at 1-800-774-1417 to discuss your rental property needs!

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For more information regarding buying or selling Pender Island real estate, visit Howard Sanders online @ www.homesonpender.com

Contact info:

• Email: Howard@HomesOnPender.com

• Cell: (250) 222-HOME (4663)

Best Regards,

Howard on Pender

The terminal is scheduled to re-open on January 11^th for the arrival of the ferry from Vancouver at 7:05am. Check www.bcferries.com or call 1-888-223-3779 for up-to-date schedule information.

BC Ferries will be operating a foot passenger service via water taxi from Otter Bay Marina to the government dock at Swartz Bay (Victoria). Free parking at Swartz Bay for Pender Island vehicles will also be available.

The water taxi schedule is as follows:

Tuesday, January 8^th:

Leave Otter Bay Marina

• 11:35am, 7:15pm

Leave Swartz Bay (Victoria) Government Dock

• 8:30am, 12:30pm, 6:30 pm

Wednesday, January 9^th and Thursday, January 10^th:

Leave Otter Bay Marina

• 7:45am, 11:35am, 7:15pm

Leave Swartz Bay (Victoria) Government Dock

• 8:30am, 12:30pm, 6:30 pm

Happy New Year to all of you!

We had a great time bringing in 2008 here on Pender Island. This year's Magic Lake Lantern Festival has been described as one of the best in its 9 year history. This is thanks to the hard work of so many performers and volunteers. I wish I had some pictures to post, but I was assigned to crowd control duties this year, and didn't get a chance to get my camera out. Not to say that crowd control is a tough assignment here on Pender! We're hardly an unruly bunch...

To see pictures of Lantern Festivals from the past, please see my Photo Album.

We had the largest number of people join the Lantern Procession this year. I saw lots of families walking together with their homemade bamboo and paper mache lanterns, leading in the the Giant Puppets, Masked Performers and Stilt Walkers. The crowd of a few hundred was treated to a wonderful family event under a clear sky full of stars.

Best of all, at clean up the next day, we found one piece of trash left by the crowd. A lonely little beer can sitting on the picnic table. You wouldn't be able to say that in the big city!

Intrigued and sorry you missed the show? Mark the Magic Lake Lantern Festival down on December 31st in your calendar for the coming year. There's nothing like New Year's Eve on Pender Island in the Southern Gulf Islands of BC...after the Lantern Festival, many friends gather for dinner, then make their way to the Hall for the Community Dance. Once you've spent one New Years on Pender, you'll want to think about making a move here to join our vibrant community!

For more about Pender Island real estate, visit Howard Sanders online @ http://www.HomesOnPender.com

Contact info:

• Email: Howard@HomesOnPender.com
• Cell: (250) 222-HOME (4663)

Best Regards,

Howard on Pender