All posts by De Clarke

De Clarke is a sailor, photographer, retired software engineer and intermittent author who since the late 70’s has published both technical writing and essays on various topics ranging from feminism to technology and environmental issues. She has lived on Cortes since late 2011.

Cortes Conversation Cafe returns Dec 7, to discuss Food Security

CCEDA continues its series of Cortes Conversation Cafés on Thursday December 7th from 4 to 6 pm, at Gorge Hall in Whaletown. The topic of discussion will be “Enhancing Food Security,” and childcare will be provided on-site.

How can we support a vibrant local food system while allowing local growers and food processors to earn sufficient livelihoods?”

Currents interviewed organiser Kate Maddigan on November 28th to find out a bit more about the Café series and this particular event.

Continue reading Cortes Conversation Cafe returns Dec 7, to discuss Food Security

Sat, November 25, Afternoon workshop on Journalism

As long promised, Cortes Currents is offering an afternoon workshop in Journalism 101, this Saturday, the 25th of November, at the Fire Hall in Manson’s Landing. The workshop will start at 1 PM and end around 4:00, maybe a little earlier or later, depending on how many people show up.

Of course, we’re hoping that some of you might like to join us in reporting for Currents. We are recruiting, but even if you have other ambitions, the more local journalists, the better. 

We would love to introduce you to the great tradition of news reporting. 

Continue reading Sat, November 25, Afternoon workshop on Journalism

Ferry Advisory Committee: Cortes and Quadra talk to BC Ferries

Cortes Island’s Ferry Advisory committee met (via Webex, a Zoom-like conferencing app) on the afternoon of Wednesday September 27th at 12:30pm. The meeting had originally been scheduled as a “town hall” style event at Mansons Hall; however, at the last minute BC Ferries announced that their FAC meetings would be held online, due to threats of violence from the public.

Though such threatening behaviour seemed unlikely on Cortes Island, BCF’s policy apparently applies across the board. The last-minute change of venue caused some confusion, but approximately thirty people joined the videoconference call on Wednesday (including BC Ferries staff and FAC members).

Continue reading Ferry Advisory Committee: Cortes and Quadra talk to BC Ferries

Mark Lombard: Community Forest 5-Year Plan

The Cortes Community Forestry Co-operative held its annual AGM on May 7th at Mansons Hall. The Co-operative is an equal partner with Klahoose First Nation in the Cortes Forestry General Partnership, locally known as the “Community Forest.” Mark Lombard is the General Manager for the Partnership.

At the Forestry Co-op AGM, Mark reminded attendees that a public meeting would be held soon (May 11 at the Klahoose Multipurpose Hall). At this meeting he would present a review of the Partnership’s activities to date, and their plans for the next few years. This event would mark the launch of a public input period for the “Five Year Plan” for the Community Forest project.

At this point in the planning process, the five year plan is wide open for comment and feedback. And if there’s an area that someone thinks would be a sensible area to operate in — in the next five years — that hasn’t been considered, please bring that forward.

If there are any other features or concerns or ideas… basically what I’m trying to say is, it’s wide open to public feedback, so we’d like to hear from people, and everything’s on the table at this point.

— Mark Lombard

Currents interviewed Mark on May 19th, to offer our readers/listeners an overview of the material he covered in his May 11 presentation. [The audio version of this interview is quite different from the image-heavy text version, so we recommend that interested readers check out both media.]

Continue reading Mark Lombard: Community Forest 5-Year Plan

Cortes Community Health Association AGM Held at Mansons Hall

The Cortes Community Health Association held its annual AGM at 1pm on Sunday May 7th, in the main room at Mansons Hall. The meeting was lightly attended and no controversial topics were on the agenda.

After opening the meeting, Board President Ed Safarik welcomed guest speaker Yasmina Cartland who made a brief presentation about “Compassionate Communities.” The rest of the meeting was devoted to the usual business of an AGM, concluding with selection of Board members for the coming year

Continue reading Cortes Community Health Association AGM Held at Mansons Hall