Free Vtech Phone System

In good working order. Vtech big button phone with answering machine plus one portable handset.

Call/txt Deb 250 710-4000.

Free Second-hand Window in Good Condition

We have a 1980s-vintage window (used) to give away.
It's a horizontal slider and includes a removable bug screen.
The window is metal-framed, double-pane glass with 1/8" separation between the panes.

The main frame is 58 1/4" wide x 40 1/4" high; the outer flange is
61" wide x 43" high.

Email: Jonathan Thornburg at (remove -color from the email address before clicking send)
jt.bhbkis@gmail-red.com1

CVRD 2025 Budget (On-Line Link & Info)

Following up on Paul Duncan's comments in yesterday's e-spokes about the 2025 CVRD proposed budget...

If you google "CVRD 2025 budget", the very first link is to the CVRD website.

https://cvrd.ca/3595/2025-Draft-Budget

This web page has a detailed presentation of the budget, including comparisons with 2024 and a link to a short video presentation summarizing the budget.

Looking at the budget documents (see in particular Schedule E, "Average Home Tax Impact"), by far the largest budget increase for 2025 ($54 of the total $80 increase for the average Electoral Area G property) is in the costs of operating our regional recreation centres.

For example, the Cowichan Aquatic Centre, Cowichan Community Centre, Fuller Lake Arena, Cowichan Sportsplex, and Cowichan Performing Arts Centre all have significant cost increases.

Although I'm not an expert in the operation of swimming pools, arenas, sports fields, or community centres, but it does likely that these all have special costs which aren't reflected in the general consumer price index – things like liability insurance, water filtration/treatment for swimming pools, and ice-making systems for arenas.

In the end, we as a community have to decide what services we want and are willing to pay for. I think capping the CVRD's budget increase to the overall BC rate of inflation would likely lead to large service cuts at the regional recreation centres and elsewhere.

I prefer to pay an extra $80 per year (a bit under $7 per month) to allow the CVRD to maintain our valuable services.

Jonathan Thornburg 

(Thetis property owner and visitor/resident on and off since 1971).

Soup’s On - Wednesday, February 26th

Sorry to say, but we’ve needed to cancel Soup’s On for today, due to scheduling difficulties.

Next Soup’s On will be on March 5th.

A big thanks to all the cooks, bakers, and workers for all they do!

Ann Dickie

CVRD 2025 Budget

The Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD) will present the 2025 Budget for the information of the CVRD Board today. The Board will be asked to approve this Budget in the next few months.

Your 2025 Property Taxes, that you pay on July 1, 2025, are based on a 2025 Budget of $64.6 million up $5.3 million from last year’s $59.2 million. This is a 9% increase, much more than BC’s annual rate of inflation of 2.2% (January 2024 to January 2025. (Click link below to find: Consumer Price Index by geography, all-items, monthly, percentage change, not seasonally adjusted, Canada, provinces, Whitehorse, Yellowknife and Iqaluit). 

https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=1810000402&pickMembers%5B0%5D=1.26&cubeTimeFrame.startMonth=01&cubeTimeFrame.startYear=2025&referencePeriods=20250101%2C20250101

Board direction was provided on May 15, 2024 for the 2025 Budget: maintain service delivery while looking for cost efficiencies It’s hard to believe that CVRD’s costs to maintain current services is so much higher than our BC cost of living increase of 2.2%. (For Electoral Area G that includes the Gulf Islands, our property taxes will be $2.1 million, up 8%).

Please consider contacting your CVRD Area Director, Jesse McClinton, to explain the Budget increase and to cap our taxes at the rate of inflation 2.2%.

Paul Duncan, Thetis Island Residents and Rate Payers’ Association Member

This Week at the Pub

We've got some amazing looking specials available this week!

On Friday and Saturday, we have an appetizer, entree, and dessert that pair beautifully. Come for just one course or indulge in all three! We're also offering one of our bottled wines by the glass so you can add a wine pairing.

And if you have a regular favourite, don't worry, the whole menu is still available all day.

Appetizer:
CARAMELIZED ONION, HEIRLOOM TOMATO AND GOAT CHEESE TART
Topped with dressed arugula and drizzled with balsamic

Entree:
BLUE CHEESE CRUSTED NY STEAK
With a port reduction, bacon and cream cheese smashed potatoes, and pan seared asparagus

Dessert:
BLACK FOREST PARFAIT
A decadent chocolate cake topped with cherry compote, whipped cream, and almond streusel

Wine Pairing:
TRIDENTE TEMPRANILLO
Powerful, full bodied, and tannic, with flavours of chocolate, liquorice, black fruits, violet and tobacco. Pairs beautifully with beef.

And starting this Sunday, we have a great new weekly event!

SUNDAY PRIME RIB DINNER
Served in a giant yorkie bowl and smothered in red wine gravy, with slow roasted beef, mashed potatoes, and seasonal vegetables.

We can't wait to see you!
Kelsey and the Thetis Island Pub

Farm Eggs

3 dozen farm eggs for sale... 5$ dozen.

Rod, darsenau@gmail.com

Electric Recliner

Free. In good condition. Electric recliner.
Greenery/teal coloured fabric.

Deb 250 710-4000

Connect with yourself | 8-Week Yoga/Meditation Series

We have only three spots remaining for our unique Yoga and Meditation Series, coming to Forbes Hall on March 7th!

Learn powerful techniques from Kundalini and Hatha Yoga, and bathe in the soothing sounds of Tibetan singing bowls while you spend a glorious 1.5 hours connecting with yourself.

Spaces are filling up fast, so be sure to register before they are gone!

When: Friday evenings @ 6-7:30pm

Register online or learn more at: wisewillowpress.com/8weekyogaseries

We are excited to see you there!

Heather and Jess

TIRRA Communications Committee

This is an umbrella that covers several different and independent sub-committees. The main function of the chair of this committee is to be the one to sit on the TIRRA board. That person can also be the one doing one or more of the other jobs if they like (many of which I've been doing, because I like! - VS), but they don't have to - they can just represent the other subcommittees when it comes to board meetings.

The Communications Chair covers, and we've already talked about, e-Spokes, the phone book, Visitors' Guide and the website. The other activities that come under this umbrella are the Welcome package and helping the secretary on the electronic side with sending out bulk emails to announce meetings. The Welcome package collects essential information about the island, some back issues of the Quarterly, and a phone book, to present to new permanent residents on the island.

A Community that can't communicate isn't a community. TIRRA is the underpinning of so many of the things that support our daily lives, but we don't always look deep enough to see and appreciate them. But we'll sure notice if we lose them! So please "think on these things", and join us...

Thank you for reading,
TIRRA Executive Board

From the Library

A Friend of the Library is available Monday 11am-1pm & Tuesday 12noon-1pm

Thank you.
Celine

Missing Cat Reminder

Since last Thursday we are missing our cat. He never missed a breakfast, lunch and dinner in over 8 years since we have him. He is usually around and follow me everywhere whatever I do if milling or working on in the garden etc. The only time he is leaving the property is when he is tracking rats. He caught one two days and since the snow is gone there is more movement with rats and mice.

I would appreciate it if in the neighbourhood you could check if he isn't locked in somewhere. He is shy. Please let me know if you notice something.

Thanks! Matthias , 313 Forbes Rd.